Crisis within the coalition: The anger of the Haredim threatens the passage of Netanyahu's government budget

The Hebrew newspaper "Maariv" revealed that the budget package approved by the Israeli government faces a real danger of falling in the Knesset, after the Haredi party "Yahadut HaTorah" announced its refusal to support it.

The newspaper sees that this position could cost the coalition the necessary majority, especially since the opposition will not support the plan despite the security need to increase the defense budget, which has risen by 30.8 billion shekels due to the war in Gaza and tensions with Iran.

The Haredim's objection mainly stemmed from the cut of funds from the "New Horizon" program allocated for Haredi education, in order to finance the increase in the defense budget. They considered that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich acted without consultation, directing cuts to sensitive sectors without touching his own budgets.

The crisis sparked public disputes in the government session; Education Minister Yoav Kisch warned that the new school year may not start if 250 million shekels are not allocated to secure educational institutions. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attacked the transfer of funds to humanitarian aid for Gaza, while other ministers criticized the inclusion of cuts affecting health, social affairs, and agriculture sectors.

Smotrich responded to the sharp criticisms by threatening to resign, but he ultimately managed to pass the decision within the government despite several ministers voting against it. However, the Haredi anger puts the 2025 budget at risk of falling when it is presented for a vote in the Knesset.