Lapid conditions budget support on canceling coalition funds, ultra-Orthodox exemptions

During a security briefing with Netanyahu, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he supports reopening the budget law to allocate additional defense funds, but opposes funding it through higher taxes on the middle class and reservists. Lapid told Netanyahu he would back the proposal in the Knesset if it includes canceling "corrupt coalition funds" and the "tens of billions of shekels" currently used to fund ultra-Orthodox draft evasion. Netanyahu had requested the budget reopening to transfer more funds to the defense establishment.