Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting with opposition leader Yair Lapid in an effort to persuade him to support discussions on a budget bill that would allocate large sums to the security establishment, Hebrew media reported Monday. This initiative is part of Netanyahu's strategy to address the financial crisis currently affecting the Israeli army's operations in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.
According to Anadolu Agency, the financial difficulties stem from a shortage of spare parts and delays in transferring billions of shekels to the defense budget. These challenges are compounded by the aftermath of Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran. Netanyahu's request for a meeting with Lapid aligns with the regular security briefings held between the prime minister and the opposition leader, as mandated by Israeli law, which requires such briefings at least once a month.
The meeting, expected to occur later Monday, will have the unprecedented involvement of Israeli Army Deputy Chief of General Staff Tamir Yadai, as reported by Channel 7. Netanyahu's goal is to convince Lapid to engage in discussions on the budget bill to facilitate the transfer of substantial funds to the Israeli security establishment. However, the opposition has recently rejected similar requests, arguing that the financial resources for defense should be sourced from the governing coalition's budgets.
According to KAN, the army's initial 2026 budget was approximately 143 billion shekels ($47 billion). However, following Israel's military actions in Iran and Lebanon, Netanyahu ordered an increase to 183 billion shekels ($60 billion). A planned installment of 15 billion shekels ($5 billion) was due in August, but the funds have not been transferred. The Knesset Finance Committee is now considering the transfer of only 11 billion shekels ($3.6 billion).
Military sources have warned that the ongoing funding gap restricts the army's operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, and also affects preparations for a potential confrontation with Iran. They emphasize that without the necessary funds, the army may struggle to maintain operational continuity and troop readiness at a minimum level. Tensions between Netanyahu and Lapid extend beyond financial matters, with disagreements over a proposed law to exempt ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews from military conscription.