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defense budget

Anti-missile batteries fire interception missiles toward incoming ballistic missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tel Aviv, March 16, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
March 17, 2026, 11:56 am
Knesset advances 5.1% deficit and spending hike amid Iran war
Bill seeks to raise deficit from 3.9%, increase spending cap by $10.2 billion, and add $2.2 billion war reserve as conflict with Iran, Hezbollah escalates
By Ariela Karmel
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks with officers in southern Gaza's Rafah, November 16, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
January 12, 2026, 7:54 pm
Zamir unveils multi-year plan for reinvigorating IDF after two years of war
Five-year framework shaped by lessons of October 7, political guidance and a $111 billion budget focuses on war readiness, rehabilitation and future threats
By Stav Levaton
Troops of the 205th Reserve Armored Brigade operate in southern Gaza's Rafah, in a handout photo issued by the IDF on April 27, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
April 28, 2025, 4:17 pm
Israel leads global surge in military spending, with steepest increase since 1967
With jump of 65% in 2024 amid multifront war, the country’s defense budget boost was the largest in the world, watchdog finds
By AFP and ToI Staff
Minister Israel Katz at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on November 10, 2024 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 15, 2024, 6:35 pm
Katz: Despite assurances by rebel leaders, Syria threat requires boost to defense budget
Defense minister says ‘the immediate risks to the country have not disappeared,’ and ‘intensity’ of danger has increased
By ToI Staff
Governor of the Bank of Israel Amir Yaron speaks at the Maariv economic conference in Tel Aviv, March 26, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
May 30, 2024, 6:08 pm
Bank of Israel chief warns war against Hamas will cost $67 billion in 2023-2025
Amir Yaron says conflict in south, north a ‘budgetary burden,’ IDF shouldn’t get ‘blank check’ for permanent outlays; Smotrich, Gallant agree on panel to review defense spending
By Sharon Wrobel and Reuters
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks at a May 9, 2023 press conference. (Ariel Harmoni/Defense Ministry)
May 21, 2023, 7:00 pm
Gallant presents billion-shekel plan to boost benefits for reserve soldiers
Defense minister unveils a slew of benefits amid low report rates for reservists, and following widespread threats to not serve in response to judicial overhaul efforts
By Emanuel Fabian
Front L-R: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF chief Herzi Halevi following a meeting on the defense budget at the Prime Minister's Office, February 22, 2023. (Courtesy)
February 23, 2023, 12:00 pm
Netanyahu, treasury and defense officials agree on multi-year defense budget
Reported NIS 68 billion to be included in upcoming national budget, which finance minister has reportedly threatened to veto if not handed West Bank powers
By Emanuel Fabian
From right, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman attend the first cabinet meeting, at the Knesset on June 13, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 28, 2021, 11:03 am
Bennett, Gantz, Liberman agree on defense budget: NIS 58 billion for 2022
Sum includes some NIS 7 billion toward rearmament, with an eye toward Iran, and NIS 750 million for civilian defenses
By Judah Ari Gross
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) shakes hands with incoming IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv on January 15, 2019. (Flash90)
July 22, 2020, 2:58 pm
Netanyahu calls for NIS 3.3 billion increase to the defense budget
Though premier generally approved the boost for military spending, the government still needs to figure out where the money will come from
By Judah Ari Gross
IDF special forces take part in an exercise in Cyprus simulating war in the north in December 2019. (Israel Defense Forces)
July 8, 2020, 9:26 pm
IDF cancels large drill planned for September, citing financial woes
Decision to scrap the exercise, in which thousands of reservists were to take part, comes amid negotiations between military and treasury over defense budget
By Judah Ari Gross
IDF Brig. Gen. Tal Kalman (center) is promoted to the rank of major general on June 18, 2020. (Israel Defense Forces)
June 18, 2020, 9:09 pm
Ex-fighter pilot tasked with leading Iran fight promoted to major general
Second officer, Brig. Gen. Tomer Bar, also goes up in rank as he takes over newly restructured position focused on developing new fighting techniques
By Judah Ari Gross
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi speaks at a ceremony at the Military Colleges campus north of Tel Aviv on June 8, 2020. (Israel Defense Forces)
June 8, 2020, 11:03 pm
IDF chief warns against false sense of security amid war for defense budget
At ceremony marking military’s role in COVID-19 response, Kohavi says relative calm should not lull country into complacency
By Judah Ari Gross
Then-chief of staff of the Israeli Air Force, Brig.-Gen. Tal Kalman, discusses the changing threats against Israel during the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies' annual conference in Tel Aviv's Hilton Hotel on April 3, 2016. (The Fisher Institute)
February 25, 2020, 10:55 pm
Ex-fighter pilot tapped to lead fight against Iran with new General Staff role
Another air force officer also slated to command newly formed Force Design Directorate, as military announces fresh appointments
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative: IDF troops near the Israel-Syria border, in the Golan Heights on January 3, 2020. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)
February 18, 2020, 5:35 pm
In shakeup, IDF to create new general position to counter Iran
Chief of Staff Kohavi to restructure Planning Directorate into department focused on developing and rolling out new combat doctrines
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative. Israeli soldiers from the Lotar counter-terrorism unit take part in a training session in the Adam military base near Modiin on July 22, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 13, 2020, 5:24 pm
The IDF’s new plan: From ‘Waze of War’ to a general charged with countering Iran
Multiyear Momentum Plan is designed to create a deadlier, more integrated military, though lack of government makes money an issue
By Judah Ari Gross
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