Barak: We cannot afford luxury of cutting defense budget

Defense minister says 'responsible leadership must find a way to simultaneously achieve social and military strength'; MKs urge Olmert to prevent planned cut in defense budget, say 'there is no need to list the multiple security threats Israel is facing'

Reuters | Published: 08.16.08, 19:32

"In the face of the challenges we are facing, including Iran, Syria, Hizbullah and Hamas, a prudent and responsible leadership cannot vote to cut the defense budget. We cannot afford this luxury," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday ahead of the vote on the State Budget.

Members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee this week urged Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to prevent the Finance Ministry's plan to cut NIS 2 billion (about $560 million) from the 2009 defense budget.

Cabinet is expected to discuss the planned budget cut during its weekly meeting on Sunday.

In a letter addressed to the PM, the committee members, headed by Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima), said "there is no need to list the multiple security threats Israel is facing or mention the great resources such an existential challenge demands. The Second Lebanon War displayed the price of neglecting the army and cutting the defense budget, namely the depleted supplies and the reduction in army training days.

"Since the war, the security establishment has been renewed and strengthened. In light of all this, we are calling upon you to prevent from cutting the defense budget for 2009,” the letter read.

The MKs said the government must continue setting the defense budget in accordance with the recommendations of the Brodet Commission, which was charged with reviewing the defense budget.

The commission endorsed a defense budget increase of NIS 46 billion (roughly $13 billion) over a decade.

Meretz-Yahad MK Yossi Beilin said he refused to join Hanegbi’s initiative aimed at preventing the defense budget cut.

"The large gaps in Israeli society are no less of a security problem than acquiring planes or tanks. A major cut in the defense budget is necessary in order to deal with saving Israeli society from decline that will harm Israel’s strength. Defense Minister Ehud Barak should be the first one to understand this," he said.

Referring to Beilin's comments, Barak said "welfare and education are an integral component of our security, and a responsible leadership must find a way to simultaneously achieve social and military strength."