A sharp confrontation developed between United Torah Judaism chairman MK Moshe Gafni and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding the defense budget that the latter is presenting to the government to finance the increase in defense expenditures - which includes cuts to the ultra-Orthodox education budget. According to sources familiar with the confrontation, Gafni was furious with Smotrich and said: "You are helping the wicked legal officials while we are in distress, I cannot continue like this." Smotrich replied: "I am not willing to work under threats, don't talk to me about distress when we are dealing with your foolish statements about conscription, and our public is filling the cemeteries."