Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment saying a biennial budget would lead to severe financial cuts was fake news.
"It's all fake. We must introduce a good financial plan for the good of the Israeli public," Gantz told the Ynet studio in an interview. "It's all a fairy tale, we need one budget, a stable one that takes into account the country's financial uncertainty, we can do this, it's only five quarters."
The state budget has become a contested issue in recent days as Gantz' Blue & White party insists on a biennial budget, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party insist on a short-term budget.
Gantz also spoke about the possibility the budget crisis would lead to another election.
"Whoever does not abide by the agreement, which was signed only three months ago, will later have to provide explanations to what happened," the centrist leader said. "The ultra-Orthodox and all the partners are also responsible to fulfill the agreement."
The former IDF chief also said that his relations with the ultra-Orthodox parties were good and that they are seeking a long and stable arrangement.
"I think that elections and the lack of financial stability won't serve anyone in Israel," said Gantz.
Gantz expressed hope that recent tensions on the northern frontier will not escalate into a full-scale conflict.
"No one should try us. We won't allow [Syrian President Bashar] Assad to facilitate terror actions against the State of Israel, we won't allow Iran to open a branch of terror in Syria," said Gantz. "We will act against this. Wherever someone acts against the State of Israel, the State of Israel will respond. We're not looking for an escalation."