The Israeli government has approved NIS 2.6 billion (approximately $840 million) in budget reductions across government ministries to fund urgent defense purchases. The decision comes nine days before the October 27 election, with coalition funding allocations excluded from the cuts.

The reductions represent 4.9% of ministry budgets and will affect areas including education, healthcare, social welfare and transportation. Legal advisers have warned of potential effects on public services.

Oded Forer, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu faction, criticized the decision, arguing that the government should have considered reducing coalition allocations instead of applying cuts across government ministries.

“Instead of cutting the coalition funds allocated to Aryeh Deri, Shas, United Torah Judaism and [Religious Zionism MK] Orit Strock, they prefer to slash NIS 2.6 billion from government ministries across the board,” he says.

Forer also raised concerns about the potential impact on northern Israel’s recovery efforts and on healthcare and welfare services in outlying communities. He argued that funding for religious institutions and groups whose members do not serve in the military had been protected.

“They are cutting funding for the rehabilitation of northern Israel, healthcare and welfare services in the periphery. But there is always money for draft dodgers and yeshivas. Netanyahu and Smotrich won’t touch those funds,” Forer charges.

Democrats MK Gilad Kariv also criticized the government’s decision, describing the coalition as “a government of thieves.”