The National Security Council (NSC) has circulated a budget summary to the Finance and Defense Ministries, deciding on a gradual 40 billion shekel increase to the 2026 defense budget, to be delivered in three installments by year's end. The move would bring the defense budget to 183 billion shekels — 70 billion more than the original government agreement, according to Yuval Shadai (N12).
The National Security Council (NSC) has circulated a budget summary to the Finance and Defense Ministries proposing a gradual 40 billion shekel increase to the 2026 defense budget, to be transferred in three installments by the end of the year, according to a report by Yuval Shadai (N12). The move would bring the defense budget to 183 billion shekels — approximately 70 billion shekels more than the original government agreement.
The proposal comes amid an ongoing budget dispute between the Finance Ministry and the defense establishment. Earlier today, the Finance Ministry threatened a 4.5% VAT hike if the defense budget received a 30 billion shekel boost, as The Zioneer reported. The Defense Ministry had previously warned that prolonged budget disputes were causing a 'dangerous delay' to the IDF's long-term modernization plan.
The gradual increase, spread over three installments, suggests an attempt to balance defense needs with fiscal constraints. The original government budget agreement had set a lower baseline; the new figure of 183 billion shekels reflects the significant wartime spending pressures Israel has faced.
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