Israeli coalition's fragile unity holds ahead of budget vote
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going all out to undermine this week’s decisive vote on the 2021-2022 state budget.
Barring any surprises, on Nov. 5, the Knesset should pass the state budget for 2021-2022. It will be a major milestone for the coalition, ushering in a long period of political stability and reducing the chances that the opposition could topple the government from the outside.
The last time the government approved a budget was March 2018, under then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the next three and a half years, Israel continued to operate under the same budget. Amid a chronic political crisis, Netanyahu decided not to pass a new budget to prevent Defense Minister Benny Gantz from being replacing him as prime minister in accordance with their rotation agreement.
The decision led to the collapse of the unity government and the ensuing series of elections. Looking back, Netanyahu's move caused him serious harm, as putting his personal political survival over the country’s well-being cost him many voters.
For this reason, passing the budget this week will be considered a major achievement for the new government and a milestone on the road to political stability and national healing.
