Breaking Update

Knesset Approves State Budget 2026 with Huge Increases for Defense Spending

Israel's Knesset approves the 2026 state budget, significantly boosting defense spending by 32 billion shekels to nearly 143 billion shekels.

Economy

Jerusalem, 9 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Knesset approved the State budget for 2026, which includes an addition of tens of billions of shekels to defense spending.

The state budget will amount to approximately 699 billion Shekels ($228 billion), and the current deficit ceiling in 2026 will be 4.9% of GDP.

The Ministry of Defense budget will increase significantly in order to provide the security system with all the tools required to finance the broad campaign throughout the budget year, and to ensure the security of the citizens of the State of Israel and the ability of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to deal with threats.

Specifically, 32 billion Shekels ($10 billion) will be added to the defense budget, totaling approximately 143 billion Shekels ($46 billion). On the eve of the war, in October 2023, the defense budget stood at 65 billion Shekels ($21 billion).

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Thursday, 9 April 2026 Updated continuously