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Netanyahu Faces Budget Vote Dilemma Amid Coalition Tensions

1/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, must vote the 2026 budget—662 billion shekels—by March 31 to avoid early elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a contentious ultra-Orthodox-backed conscription bill that could destabilize his coalition.
Netanyahu has urged unity to avoid elections.
Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister, says he will not tie the budget vote to the conscription bill.
The budget includes a 3.9% of GDP deficit ceiling, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.

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Story summary

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, must vote the 2026 budget—662 billion shekels—by March 31 to avoid early elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a contentious ultra-Orthodox-backed conscription bill that could destabilize his coalition.
Netanyahu has urged unity to avoid elections.
Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister, says he will not tie the budget vote to the conscription bill.
The budget includes a 3.9% of GDP deficit ceiling, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.