Finance Committee okays upping defense budget by NIS 3 billion

The Knesset Finance Committee authorized an NIS 3 billion (about $790 million) increase to the defense budget. The increase will come from NIS 1.5 billion (about $400 million) from the recent cross-ministerial cut to ministry budgets, and a NIS 1.5 billion compensation granted to the defense establishment for its expenses during Operation Cast Lead. (Zvi Lavi)