Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on his coalition partners to support a 2025 budget bill, despite warnings of opposition from hardline rebels. Netanyahu, recovering from prostate surgery, appeared in the Knesset to urge his coalition members to stop threatening the government’s existence.
The budget, which includes tax hikes and spending cuts, passed narrowly earlier this month after a rebellion by coalition partners who demanded Netanyahu fire Israel’s attorney general. Coalition partner Itamar Ben Gvir has also sought more funding for the Israeli police, while ultra-Orthodox parties have opposed legislation that would force some members of their communities to enlist in the military.
Netanyahu warned that failure to approve the budget could trigger new elections by March 31. The government faces challenges including a struggling economy, which has been hit by an attack by Palestinian Hamas militants and the ensuing war in Gaza.
The budget’s passage is seen as another sign of cracks in Netanyahu’s coalition, the furthest right in Israel’s history. With zero growth in the economy and inflation rising due to supply issues, Israelis have seen a surge in the cost of living.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/recovering-netanyahu-gets-up-hospital-rally-support-israel-budget-2024-12-31