Finance Ministry Says NIS 15 Billion for Defense Has Been Stalled in Knesset for 45 Days

Finance Ministry officials said NIS 15 billion approved by the government has remained before the Knesset Finance Committee since August 2 because the committee has not convened to authorize the transfer. They said the defense establishment already has funds for urgent needs and that Apache purchases require five-year budgeting. The defense establishment said Israel missed an urgent deal for 12 Apache helicopters because financing was delayed. Officials warned that current defense spending demands could leave Israel unable to sustain future military campaigns and said any further increase would require higher taxes or cuts to education and public services.