Katz Urges Lapid to Back IDF Budget Amid Security Threats

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a public appeal to opposition leader Yair Lapid, calling on him to support the IDF's request for urgent additional funding. The appeal comes against the backdrop of what Katz described as dramatic security challenges facing the country.

"I call on opposition leader Lapid to support the IDF's request for additional budget," Katz said. "We are facing dramatic security challenges that require decisions now. The regional reality does not allow us to wait: threats are evolving, our enemies continue to operate, and we must ensure the IDF is prepared and equipped for any development."

The defense minister emphasized that delays in providing the necessary resources could have direct consequences on IDF readiness and the security of Israeli citizens. He urged Lapid to support the urgent request through agreed-upon Knesset legislation to enable the IDF to continue functioning.

The requested budget increase is intended for several key purposes: increased payments to reserve soldiers, maintenance of security zones protecting residents along the borders, procurement of armaments, restoring IDF capabilities for continued operations, and building indigenous defense and offensive capabilities in the defense industries to address emerging threats.

Katz clarified that the required funds exist in the Treasury coffers and that the economic situation is sound. "For the avoidance of doubt, the economic situation is good and the required funds exist in the Treasury coffers, but they require formal Knesset legislation, and are not connected to any tax increases or other budget items," he noted.

The defense minister asked Lapid not to tie the security issue to the usual political debate with the government over various budget items. "It would not be right to tie the security issue to the usual political debate with the government over various budget items," he stressed.

Katz recalled the coronavirus period, when he served as finance minister and Lapid was opposition leader. "When I was finance minister during the coronavirus period, Yair Lapid as opposition leader promised me and kept his word and supported every item related to coronavirus expenses," he said.

"It's a shame that now, in the midst of an important security campaign rich with enormous achievements on all fronts, but with goals still to be completed, he refuses a similar request in the security realm," the defense minister added.

Katz's appeal comes as the IDF continues operations across all sectors, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Judea and Samaria. According to reports, the IDF continues to operate intensively in the security zone in Lebanon, thwarting terrorists and terror infrastructure while protecting the security of northern border residents.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security briefing for opposition leader Yair Lapid, during which Netanyahu requested Lapid's support for opening the budget law to transfer additional funds to the defense establishment, according to a statement from Lapid's office. The meeting was also attended by the IDF Planning Directorate chief and the head of the National Security Council.

According to the statement released by Lapid's office after the meeting, the former prime minister responded to Netanyahu at the meeting: "I am in favor of the proposal and support transferring the funds, because we need to strengthen the IDF, but the budget source cannot be raising taxes on the middle class and reserve soldiers that you are leading toward."

Lapid set a clear condition for his support, while inciting against the haredi public: "Instead, include in the proposal cancellation of the corrupt coalition funds and the tens of billions of shekels you are transferring today to finance haredi draft evasion, and we will support the proposal in the Knesset as well."

The Likud responded to Lapid's statement: "Lapid is misleading the public about the defense budget. Lapid's claims are false and lies. State revenues were higher than expected following the government's economic policy, and as a result the deficit is also lower than expected. Under these circumstances, it is possible to increase the defense budget without any tax increases."

"The argument about coalition funds and budgets for the haredi sector is also false. There have never been such amounts for coalition funds and for the haredi sector, not even close to them. Lapid is abandoning the security of the State of Israel because of cheap political considerations."