2025 budget bill gives Ben-Gvir extra NIS 2b

The state budget for 2025 was presented to the Knesset today, ahead of its first reading next week. It contains fundamental changes from the original budget proposal approved by the government a month ago.

One of the most notable changes occurred in the budget of the Ministry of National Security headed by Itamar Ben Gvir. The budget increased by 2 billion shekels, reaching more than 25 billion shekels for next year. Ben Gvir had demanded an additional NIS 10 billion, but although he did not get everything he wanted, his ministry’s budget is one of the few to win an increase in the new budget, which is mainly characterized by cuts.

Another interesting change is in the budget of the Prime Minister’s Office, which has increased by NIS 600 million since the budget was presented to the government. This budget covers several “coalition” ministries, reflecting agreements with the various coalition parties.

Among them are the Ministry of National Missions and Settlements, headed by Orit Struck, which will receive a budget of NIS 123 million; The Ministry of Regional Cooperation, headed by David “Dodi” Amsalem, which will receive NIS 43 million; The Heritage Ministry, headed by Amichai Eliyahu, allocated NIS 46 million; The Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Heritage, headed by Meir Porush, in the amount of NIS 28 million; The Ministry of Social Equality, headed by Mai Golan, whose budget will reach 120 million shekels.

Most other budget items did not change significantly. The budget proposal approved by the government still did not take into account reducing spending and implementing the government’s decisions on deficit reduction measures. This means that the additions to the budgets of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of National Security are actually larger, taking into account that the draft budget law submitted to the Knesset is after the imposed overall reduction of 5%. Government ministries.

Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on December 4, 2024.

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