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Israel's 2025 budget passes key hurdle, likely staving off new elections


Published on 2025-03-20 07:20:48 - Reuters
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  • Israel's parliament on Thursday approved the framework for the 2025 state budget and its accompanying economic plan, clearing a political hurdle that likely paves the way for final approval by the end of the month to avoid the collapse of the government.

Israel's 2025 budget has passed a crucial vote in the Knesset's finance committee, moving it closer to final approval and likely preventing the need for new elections. The budget, which includes increased allocations for defense, welfare, and health, was a point of contention among coalition members, particularly over funding for ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools and military exemptions. Despite these disputes, the budget's passage through the committee is seen as a stabilizing factor for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which has been facing internal and external pressures. The budget now heads to the full parliament for its second and third readings, with expectations that it will be fully ratified, thus avoiding a political crisis that could have led to elections.

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[ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-2025-budget-passes-key-hurdle-likely-staving-off-new-elections-2025-03-20/ ]