Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu this evening (Tuesday) convened the 64 MKs and ministers from the coalition in preparation for the approval of the State budget in the Knesset plenum - a marathon of votes that is expected to last for hours and end tomorrow in the morning hours.
Netanyahu said that "the government is passing a responsible budget," adding that his government will continue to fight the cost of living, and addressed the opposition: "Don't get your hopes up - this government will complete its four years."
Netanyahu thanked the Government-Knesset Liaison, Minister Dudi Amsalem, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their work in getting the State budget passed. "I told the opposition - don't get your hopes up - ad we indeed are passing a budget and we always surprise."
"We also make surprises in the area of internal security. We will establish the national guard that Itamar Ben-Gvir has been talking so much about. Whoever said it wouldn't happen - it will happen. We are passing a responsible budget that maintains the economic framework and also receives praise from the rating agencies," the prime minister said.
"We also surprise Iran all the time," he added.
Netanyahu called on his partners to "get lots of sleep" ahead of the votes to come.
Prior to the coalition meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israel National News- Arutz Sheva: "The budget will pass, and with it there will be lots of good news for the advancement the economy and the lowering of the cost of living. Starting tomorrow there is a two-year budget in the State of Israel."
"In a time of global economic turmoil, we provide stability and certainty to the economy with a responsible and professional budget that allows us to fight the cost of living and the rising prices of recent years and bring about reforms and changes that the State of Israel needs."