Israel’s Knesset narrowly approved the country’s 2025 wartime budget in its first reading on Sunday, highlighting growing rifts within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. The budget passed by a 59-57 vote, with the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, voting against the measure.
The rebellion stems from Ben-Gvir’s ongoing demand that Netanyahu fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Ben-Gvir accuses her of obstructing judicial overhaul plans and supporting an inquiry into Israel’s handling of the October 7 Hamas-led attack, which sparked the current war.
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Ben-Gvir announced on X (formerly Twitter) that his faction would act independently, ignoring coalition positions unless his demands were addressed. “Either send her [Baharav-Miara] home or she will bring the government down,” Ben-Gvir declared.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized Ben-Gvir for aligning with opposition parties, accusing him of jeopardizing the right-wing coalition during a time of war. “We will continue to work for victory, with or without Ben-Gvir,” Smotrich said.
The 2025 budget includes cuts and tax increases of 37 billion shekels ($10.3 billion) to offset soaring war costs, with defense spending set at 108 billion shekels. Total expenditures are planned at 756 billion shekels ($210 billion), with a deficit target of 4.4% of GDP.
The budget now advances to committee review, where amendments may be made before final approval, expected in early 2025. Failure to pass the budget by March 31 would trigger new elections, posing a major threat to Netanyahu’s leadership amid mounting internal tensions.