image sourced from original article at Israel's parliament has approved a record budget for 2026 after intense negotiations within the governing coalition. The vote came after ultra-Orthodox parties, which had threatened to withhold support over the lack of progress on legislation exempting their community from mandatory military service, ultimately backed the measure.
In the final moments before approval, lawmakers convened in an alternate fortified hall due to the ongoing war and witnessed a tense confrontation. As part of last-minute concessions to secure support, coalition members introduced formal budget reservations themselves, a move typically used by opposition parties to challenge spending plans.
The unexpected procedural maneuver underscored the political compromises required to pass the spending package, highlighting the coalition's efforts to maintain unity while addressing the demands of key partners.
