Netanyahu, Smotrich to 'set aside' haredi draft law, approve billions in defense funding for war - Keshet Neev

 

by Keshet Neev

“The costly campaign requires a special budget with the addition of tens of billions of shekels for the war effort,” Netanyahu said.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R), Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

(photo credit: GPO)

The government will set aside advancing the contentious haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft bill and approve an updated state budget that includes billions of shekels in defense funding, due to Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Tuesday evening.

Advancements on the controversial haredi draft bill and other reforms will be set aside during the war “for unity,” Smotrich said.

“The costly campaign requires a special budget with the addition of tens of billions of shekels for the war effort,” Netanyahu added.

The prime minister said that the operation “costs money, a lot of money. That is why we are required to provide a special budget during the war, tens of billions of shekels, to help fund the defense budget and the war effort.”

Smotrich said the government would be “setting aside the draft law, which will not be advanced at this time, along with several reforms around which we have not yet reached broad agreement.”

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 23, 2026. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

“War is a time for unity and national responsibility, and I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and all members of the government and the coalition,” he added.

Passing the updated budget plan immediately will enable Israel "to win the war, provide better services to Israeli citizens in many areas, and establish a new regional order in the Middle East," Smotrich continued.

Smotrich had been advancing a controversial, sweeping reform to Israel's dairy sector as part of the state budget.

Gov't has been advancing controversial haredi conscription legislation

In recent months, the government has also been advancing controversial legislation regarding haredi conscription.

Critics argue the proposed law is a political measure intended to appease the haredi parties in Netanyahu’s coalition and would not effectively enforce conscription.

Meanwhile, the IDF has repeatedly warned of an urgent need for additional manpower, particularly after more than two years of ongoing war.

The government will vote on allocating over NIS 5 billion in coalition funds toward the 2026 state budget on Tuesday.

Millions of shekels will also be directed toward haredi institutions as part of the proposal, which has led to sharp criticism from opposition politicians. 

Keshet Neev

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-889530

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