Israeli protesters clash with police over budget vote
Israeli protesters blocked the entrance to Israel's parliament and scuffled with police as Knesset members inside were preparing to vote on the country's 2025 state budget.
The vote was set to pass, preventing the government's collapse.
Police removed protesters from the road, allowing vehicles carrying ministers and lawmakers to make their way in for the vote.
The total of the long-delayed wartime budget will be 756 billion shekels ($203.5 billion), or 620 billion excluding debt servicing for a 21% rise in spending over 2024. The defence budget alone will be a record 110 billion shekels, while the deficit is set at 4.9% of gross domestic product.
Israel spent $31 billion on its military conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon in 2024 and the government vowed to sharply boost defence spending going forward.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had hoped the budget would be approved by the end of 2024, but political infighting among coalition partners delayed the final vote.
The budget totals approximately 619 billion shekels (about $169 billion), with significant allocations for defense (110 billion shekels), education (92 billion shekels), and health (60 billion shekels). The deficit ceiling is set at 4.9% of GDP.
The approval process was marked by considerable unrest. Protesters blocked roads leading to the Knesset, resulting in confrontations with police and multiple arrests. Inside the chamber, families of hostages held in Gaza displayed photographs of their loved ones, drawing attention to their plight during the proceedings.
Opposition leaders criticized the budget for favoring ultra-Orthodox and far-right interests, alleging it neglects essential sectors like education and healthcare. They accused the government of prioritizing political allies over broader public needs.
