Conditional support from Yair Lapid to Netanyahu's defense budget request

Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition There is a Future Party, Yair Lapid, stated that he will support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for support to increase the defense budget, on the condition that "corruption funds" and funds allocated to the Ultra-Orthodox segment are canceled.

Main opposition leader Lapid made a written statement about the meeting with Netanyahu regarding increasing the defense budget.

Stating that Netanyahu requested a re-vote on the budget to increase the budget of the Israeli army during the meeting, Lapid said, "I support the proposal and I stand behind the fund transfers. Because we need to strengthen the Israeli army." he said.

Stating that he is against increasing the defense budget by imposing new taxes on the middle class and reserve soldiers, Lapid said, "Instead, include in the proposal the cancellation of the coalition's corruption funds and the tens of billions of dollars you are currently transferring to finance the evasion of the Ultra-Orthodox segment from military service." he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu requested a meeting with main opposition leader Lapid to support increasing the defense budget.

Israeli state television KAN had previously reported that the financial crisis in the Israeli army had a negative impact on the attacks on the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Lebanon.

The far-right government in Israel had determined approximately 143 billion shekels ($47.3 billion) from the 2026 budget as the defense budget.