Security budget grows by NIS 1.9 billion
PM authorizes NIS 35 billion increase to defense budget, says original framework should not be broken. Ministry of finance may have to make NIS 600 million cut from the 2007 budget
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has authorized the expansion of the defense budget to NIS 35 billion (USD 8,360,871,000), an NIS 1.9 billion (USD 453,803,500) increase.
Following the decision the Finance Ministry will have to cut back some NIS 600 million (USD 143,329,217) from the 2007 budget proposal prior to its Knesset début before the end of December.
The addition will be paid in advance until the government authorizes the entire budget, according to the Brodat committee's recommendations. The new budget does not include the NIS 8 billion (USD 1,910,764,129) given to the army immediately after the end of the last war in Lebanon.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Sunday's cabinet meeting that the defense budget urgently needs an addition of NIS 3 billion (USD 716,536,548) beyond the funds already given to it. Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson adamantly objected to the addition, saying that meeting such a demand may harm the country's social budgets.
A source from the ministry of finance told Ynet that the addition will require cutting back some NIS 600 million from other budgets.
'I won't lend a hand to breaking the budget'
After the cabinet meeting Hirchson told Ynet that the PM agreed to give the defense system almost two thirds of the required budget - NIS 1.9 billion – but clarified that he does not intend to expand the already authorized framework for the defense budget and any additions will be taken from preexisting authorized clauses.
Hirchson refused to address the estimate made by the source in his ministry regarding a possible NIS 600 million breadth cutback. Hirchson only said that the additional money for defense will be made available by changes to the existing budget composition. Hirchson also said that he believes he will be able to announce exactly where the money will be taken from within the coming days.
Hirchson emphasized that due to this development Knesset parties who made over-the-top demands as a condition for their support of the budget will not be able to see them realized. "I will not lend a hand in breaking the budget," said Hirchson.
The minister reiterated that he remains confident that the final budget vote will take place no later than January 1st 2007.
Ronny Sofer contributed to this report
