Budget Cuts

Labor Calls to MKs: Don’t Vote for ‘Coward’s Tax’

Labor head slams Lapid’s plan to raise the VAT as “coward’s tax,” proposes an alternative.

Lapid Publishes Budget Q-and-A

Finance Minister reveals how budget changes will affect students, the middle class, the poor, and more.

Meretz MK Hints Be'er Sheva Shooting Related to Budget

MK Tamar Zandberg asserts the shooting in Be’er Sheva was a result of the state budget. Deputy Finance Minister: A miserable statement.

Piron on Deri: A Simple Conversation Turned into a Storm

Education Minister stresses that the cut in funding of Shas's schools will happen when his public hareidi schools are established.

Government Approves State Budget

After talks into the night, the Israeli government approves the state budget for 2013 and 2014, by a majority of 21-1.

Budget of Prime Minister's Residence Jumps 80% in Four Years

The planned austerity measures have not hit PM Netanyahu's expenses, which have jumped 80% since 2009.

Budget of Shas Schools Will Not be Cut

Deri, Piron and Lapid agree to postpone the planned cuts in Shas's network of schools.

Hesder Official: Hareidim, Religious Zionists Suffer Together

The budget cuts proposed by the government are decimating all yeshivas, a top Hesder Yeshiva official said

Talks on Defense Cuts End, No Agreement Yet

Israel's security cabinet ends marathon talks on cuts in defense spending. Final decision expected Monday morning.

Lapid: In Six Months It Will be Better

Finance Minister Yair Lapid assures angry Israelis that he is following through on his promises and that the budget cuts are the right move.

Lapid Against ‘Social Protests’

Finance Minister explains why he no longer supports ‘cost of living’ rallies. Social protests previously brought him to power.

Protesters Outside Lapid's Home Tell Him to Resign

About 100 people demonstrated outside the home of Finance Minister Lapid against the planned budget cuts, calling on him to resign.

Lapid: I Won't Give Away Money I Don't Have

Finance Minister Yair Lapid attempts to justify the budget cuts. "The rich are getting hit too."

Lapid: We Knew This Would be Hard

Finance Minister says budget cuts are hard, inevitable.

Lapid Promises to Fight for the Working Man

Finance Minister Yair Lapid says that he intends to fight for the working man who "just pays the bills".

Stanley Fischer Backs Lapid on Deficit Goal

Bank of Israel head comes to agreement with Lapid, backs 3% deficit target.

Budget Cuts: Tax on Vegetables, Child Payments Slashed

Government plans cuts to keep deficit under control. How will cuts impact average Israeli?

‘Social Justice Forum’ Backs Lapid: Increase the Deficit

Group founded by ‘social justice’ protesters backs Lapid on budget, says increasing deficit is ‘responsible.’

Gafni: Lapid Hiding His Real Intention to Hurt the Poor

MK Moshe Gafni criticizes Finance Minister Yair Lapid’s planned budget cuts, says they will hurt the country’s weaker sectors.

Proposed Budget: Raise the VAT, Cut Civil Servants' Pay

The Treasury plans to raise the VAT and cut the wages of civil servants in order to reduce Israel’s deficit.

US Budget Cuts Could Delay Trial of Bin Laden Son-In-Law

The highly anticipated trial of Osama bin Laden's son-in-law could be delayed due to U.S. federal budget cuts.

Hagel: 'Everything On Table' As US Cuts Defense

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel says Pentagon must "put everything on the table" as it struggles to adjust to major spending cuts.

Netanyahu, Lapid Agree on Budget Cuts

Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have agreed on a series of cuts, including in the defense budget.

Labor Head: Lapid Sounds Just Like Netanyahu

Yachimovich: Lapid's "Future" party should be renamed "Past." He is taking orders from Netanyahu’s staff.

Top Hareidi Rabbi: Yeshiva Budget Cuts 'Dangerous'

Rabbi Shmuel Vozner said that cutting funding for hareidi yeshivot will "cause the future existence of Israel to be in doubt.”

Report: US to Cut Aid to Israel by $150M

An unconfirmed report says American foreign aid to Israel is going to be cut by $150 million. The figure is lower than what was expected.

US Frees Detained Migrants as Budget Cuts Loom

US officials released hundreds of detained immigrants to trim expenses ahead of massive automatic budget cuts due to take effect this week.

Obama Warns: Budget Cuts will Slow Economy, Eliminate Jobs

Obama warned warring politicians it was time to start governing as Washington deals with another crisis threatening the fragile economy.

Obama Blames Republicans for Stalemate in Budget Talks

Obama accused Republicans of refusing to deal and painted a dire picture of the US economy if the automatic cuts take effect

Deri to Netanyahu: Show Us the Budget Cuts

Shas’ Aryeh Deri urges Netanyahu to reveal planned spending cuts before elections so voters can have a say.

Bibi’s Approval at All-Time Low over Budget Cuts

PM, Finance Minister see popularity drop as budget cuts, tax hike are approved.

Gov't Approves Massive Tax Hikes, Spending Cuts

The government on Monday passed a sweeping measure to tighten Israel's belt at a time when the world is facing another financial crisis.