Gantz: 2021 budget must pass by end of December

Defense Minister Benny Gantz reiterates his call for a budget covering 2021 to be passed by the end of the year, calling this a “red line.”

“This is a national emergency situation that requires the passage of the budget,” Gantz says during a faction meeting of his Blue and White party.

Blue and White party and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud have been feuding over the state budget. Gantz wants a budget through 2021, while Netanyahu is calling for one that will only run through the end of December, which could end up allowing him to go to elections without having to hand over the premiership to Gantz as part of their power-sharing deal.

“Until now we did everything in our ability to allow this government to function and put the wellbeing of the state at the top of the agenda,” Gantz says. “They called us cowards and we held back. They called us weak and we held back. This chapter is over and done. There won’t be any more restraint.”

He says “all options are on the table,” in a warning to Netanyahu that Blue and White could push to remove him if its demands aren’t met.

Gantz also unsurprisingly clarifies Blue and White won’t vote for “constructive” no-confidence measure in the government, effectively sinking the proposal’s chance of passing.