JERUSALEM, Sept 9 (Askume) – Israeli lawmakers on Monday gave preliminary approval to an increase in the 2024 budget framework to provide financial aid for people displaced by the Gaza war and for reserve forces , including overwhelming support from the Conservative Party.
The vote to add 3.4 billion shekels ($906 million) to the 2024 budget passed by a margin of 58 to 52, the Finance Ministry said.
Ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to boycott a parliamentary vote over a dispute over funding for their independent education system.
The bill still needs two votes to become law.
The rift with the ultra-Orthodox party is a test of the unity of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7 last year .
Two religious parties, which control 18 of the 120 seats in parliament, said last week they would not participate in a full vote unless the government agreed to bring schools in its independent education system under state control as well – specifically its “New Horizons” plan, which extended the school day and significantly raised teachers’ salaries.
A spokesman for Moshe Gafni, the leader of one of the ultra-Orthodox parties, said the bloc had decided to vote on the budget this time. It is unclear what the future vote will be.
“The budget adjustment will create the necessary conditions to continue fighting those who want to harm us,” said Finance Minister Bezrel Smotrich, who criticized those who voted against it.
“It would be great if members of the opposition lived up to their national responsibilities and voted for continued funding for displaced people and reserve forces – this is a war for all of us.”
Israel called up its reserves during the war in Gaza, which saw thousands of Israelis flee their homes in the northern territory because of rocket attacks by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
(1 USD = 3.7530 Shekels)
