Reflecting its continued military aggression, the Israeli cabinet has approved a substantial $35 billion budget allocation for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the proposed 2026 budget. This allocation underscores the scale of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and along its northern borders, and its commitment to vastly expanding its military capabilities.
🗳️ The Budgetary Showdown
🧗 Knesset Challenge
According to news agency reports, the budget will now proceed to the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) for an initial vote. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is anticipated to face severe challenges in securing the necessary parliamentary approval for this massive expenditure. The budget is being presented at a time when political divisions over war strategy and economic priorities are highly pronounced.
⚠️ Threat of Elections
Under Israeli law, the Netanyahu government is mandated to ensure the budget’s approval before March. Failure to pass the budget in the Knesset would automatically trigger new elections in Israel. This creates a high-stakes scenario where the budget’s success is tied directly to the political survival of the current government amidst the ongoing conflict.
