Amidst a budget controversy, the Finance Minister of Israel, Bezalel Smotrich, has defended the allocation of funds to settlements, dismissing criticisms as misinformed. The proposed wartime budget has stirred tensions within the Israeli government, pitting centrist and far-right members against each other.
Minister Benny Gantz, representing the centrist faction, has vehemently opposed the inclusion of political payouts in the budget, arguing that they would undermine the war effort. This includes funds designated for settlements in the occupied West Bank and for the ultra-Orthodox Jewish education system, which Gantz views as detrimental to the overall war strategy.
In response to the concerns, Smotrich explained that the funds for settlements, amounting to 4.9 billion shekels ($1.3 billion) according to the proposal, make up less than 1% of the budget. He emphasized that the criticism of these allocations is unwarranted, labelling it as part of a deceitful campaign orchestrated by the hostile media.
The controversy surrounding the allocation of funds to settlements comes at a critical juncture for Israel as it seeks international support for its operations in Gaza. The expansion of Jewish settlements into land claimed by Palestinians has raised international unease, with the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressing strong disapproval of the funds designated for settlements. According to Borrell, these settlements are a violation of international humanitarian law and pose a significant security risk for Israel.
In response to the opposition to these funds, Smotrich has emphasized the reduction in the allocated amount and urged the centrist party members led by Gantz to reconsider their stance and support the budget proposals. However, the allocation of funds to settlements has drawn widespread criticism and anger, not only from abroad but also from the Palestinian leadership.
A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that an increase in funding for settlements in the occupied West Bank during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza would have serious repercussions. Gantz echoed this sentiment, stating that his faction would vote against the proposed budget should the government meeting proceed without amendments.
The ongoing rift within the Israeli government reflects the broader political divisions in the country. The coalition agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of religious and far-right parties has raised concerns among economists and even the central bank, who have called for the removal of non-essential funds from the budget.
The intense debate over the allocation of funds to settlements underscores the complexity of Israeli politics, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the concerns of the international community. As the government prepares to vote on the budget, the outcome of this dispute will not only impact the immediate financial decisions but also have far-reaching implications for Israel’s strategic priorities.
By Maayan Lubell, Steven Scheer, and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah
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