Israel Passes Record Budget, Extending Netanyahu’s Term

30/03/2026

Israel Passes Record Budget, Extending Netanyahu’s Term

TEL AVIV (AP), Mar 30: Israel has approved its largest-ever national budget, securing the continuation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and averting the risk of early elections ahead of the April 1 deadline.

The $270 billion budget includes a significant 20 percent increase in funding for the defense sector, with allocations to the Ministry of Defense rising to $45 billion amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The increase has led to spending cuts across several other government ministries.

Opposition leaders strongly criticized the budget, accusing the government of prioritizing increased funding for ultra-Orthodox communities at a time when the country faces mounting economic pressure from its military engagements, including the prolonged war in Gaza Strip.

Despite the budget’s passage, Netanyahu retains the authority to call early elections if he chooses.