The Knesset passed the first readings of the 2025 budget in a political storm late Monday night, after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party voted against his coalition’s budget.
The 2025 budget is comprised of a series of bills, and the Knesset voted on all of them for their first reading on Monday. The first bill, which set the 2025 deficit ceiling at 4.3%, passed 58-53. The second bill, which included the detailed 2025 budget itself, passed 59-57. Votes on the third and fourth bills, which include a series of legislative amendments to facilitate the new budget, were held after press time.
Otzma Yehudit announced earlier on Monday that the faction will act “independently and selectively” on legislation backed by the coalition, including the 2025 budget bills, due to the coalition’s factions acting “independently in a variety of areas.”
According to the party, these factions included the “refusal” to bring up the issue of firing Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara in the upcoming government meeting on Sunday, as well as “negotiations for an irresponsible [hostage] deal” and “harming the budget of the national security ministry and its [subordinate] bodies.”
Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich said that conditioning the passing of the budget on firing the A-G is childish political play, that firing the A-G must be based on relevant and professional reasons, and that turning it into a “political” issue is the surest way to sabotage the whole project.In the second vote, Otzma MKs all voted against the budget, but it passed without the faction’s vote.
However, Ben-Gvir put out a statement following Sunday’s meeting claiming there was “broad agreement” on firing the Attorney-General. He added that he would “ensure” the government launches the process to fire her next week.
Netanyahu's office silent
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to an inquiry as to why Monday’s meeting was canceled. No other indication was given as to whether or not a decision had been made regarding the initiatives to fire Baharav-Miara.
Ben-Gvir and several other ministers have repeatedly called for Baharav-Miara’s removal, arguing that she was intentionally ruling their initiative illegally to block them from implementing their policy and to eventually bring down the government.
None of the ministers making this claim have provided proof. Members of the opposition have argued that if the government does not want the A-G to intervene as much, they should stop proposing and attempting to push through illegal actions.
Netanyahu is not permitted to involve himself with the process of removing Baharav-Miara due to a conflict of interest, as he is currently standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu was also not present when the coalition party leaders discussed removing the A-G.
However, Kan reported on Monday that an aide to the prime minister was present at the meeting. Democrat MK Naama Lazimi penned a letter to Baharav-Miara on Monday arguing that the aide’s presence showed that Netanyahu was involved – and had therefore violated his conflict of interest agreement.
In parallel, on Sunday, MK Michel Buskila, a member of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s United Right party, filed a bill proposal to split the roles of the Attorney-General into two different roles.
The proposal reflected Sa’ar’s statement earlier on Monday, in which he opposed firing the A-G and instead proposed the split in her authority.
The A-G is currently both the official interpreter on behalf of the government and is responsible for approving investigations and indictments of elected officials.
According to Buskila’s proposal – also previously proposed by Sa’ar as justice minister – the latter responsibility will be given to a three-person committee.
The committee should be made up of a former High Court judge appointed by the current Chief Justice, a retired Attorney-General appointed by the justice minister, and a private defense attorney appointed by the National Public Defender.
Otzma Yehudit’s threat to oppose coalition legislation was felt immediately in the Knesset plenum on Monday, as coalition whip MK Ofir Katz (Likud) scrambled to ensure that the coalition still had a majority. Without Otzma Yehudit, the coalition only enjoys a 62-58 majority.
Several other MKs were either not present or had already said they would boycott the vote for other reasons. This left the voting too close for comfort and led Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to take the stand and filibuster while Katz attempted to ensure a majority.
Ministers have unlimited speaking time on the Knesset dais and can therefore be used as a delay tactic.
The voting on Monday was especially important since it included the first reading of a number of bills that make up the 2025 national budget. The votes were held after press time.
Shortly after the vote, Ben-Gvir met with Netanyahu in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.