The Israeli government has recently announced substantial cuts in spending on healthcare, welfare, and education. This decision comes shortly after the Knesset Finance Committee allocated hundreds of millions of shekels in surplus coalition funds to various government ministries, including some deemed unnecessary by the Finance Ministry. These surplus funds, left unspent from the previous year’s budget, are typically used to fulfill political promises made during the formation of the coalition government.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) did not directly detail these cuts in its announcement but emphasized the extension of government aid to residents of southern and northern communities affected by security concerns.
Specifically, the aid is for residents living within 7 kilometers of the Gaza Strip and 5 kilometers from Lebanon until August 31, 2024. The PMO clarified that this aid applies to those unable to return home due to security issues and excludes certain areas near Gaza.
Despite the significant budget cuts in crucial sectors, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not explain why recently allocated coalition funds were not redirected to support displaced residents.
Opposition leaders criticized the government for prioritizing political interests over essential public services. Yesh Atid party’s spokesman condemned the government for distributing funds at the expense of middle-class citizens, reservists, and taxpayers. Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, also voiced his disapproval, highlighting the government’s misallocation of resources and calling for a change in leadership.
The government’s decision to slash the budget by 1.03% across all ministries has raised concerns about the potential impact on vital services. Significant cuts include NIS 7.7 million from the Finance Ministry, NIS 41.7 million from the National Security Ministry, NIS 38.3 million from the Education Ministry, NIS 27.5 million from the Welfare Ministry, and NIS 23.4 million from the Health Ministry.
Health Minister Uriel Busso and other officials have expressed serious concerns about the cuts, warning that they could harm the very citizens they aim to protect. The Health Ministry, in particular, has been under immense pressure, treating wounded individuals from ongoing conflicts. Prof. Zion Hagay, head of the Israel Medical Association, argued that cutting the health budget is akin to cutting the defense budget during wartime, emphasizing the critical role of the healthcare system.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also criticized the cuts, highlighting their potential to hinder police equipment procurement, civilian security, and prison capacity expansion. The government has previously allocated funds to Ben Gvir’s ministry to address prison overcrowding, including a significant budget cut in April to expand the prison system.
In addition to ministry cuts, NIS 525 million designated for a collective agreement with Israeli teachers was reallocated. Reports suggest that Netanyahu threatened to restrict ministers’ trips abroad if they opposed the cuts, emphasizing the government’s determination to implement these budget changes.
The recent budget cuts in healthcare, welfare, and education have sparked significant controversy and criticism from various quarters. While the government justifies these cuts to fund aid for displaced residents, many argue that this approach undermines essential public services and fails to address the root causes of the budgetary shortfall. The opposition and several ministers have called for a reevaluation of the government’s priorities, advocating for a more balanced allocation of resources to ensure the well-being of all citizens.
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