Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a sharp warning after the government postponed a vote on the state budget, signaling that the delay could trigger the collapse of the Knesset.
The budget had been set for a vote on Monday, but the schedule was pushed to Wednesday after the chareidi parties refused to back it, citing the government’s failure to advance a Draft Law.
The chareidi factions, United Torah Judaism and Shas, said they would not support the budget until they are able to meet with the Knesset’s legal adviser about the status of the Draft Law.
Their insistence stems from a desire to first clarify legal issues surrounding the promotion of the conscription legislation with the Knesset’s legal advisers.
In response, Smotrich delivered a blunt message to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, declaring, “If the budget does not pass today, it does not pass at all. Let’s dissolve the Knesset.”
Until Monday morning, coalition leaders believed that Shas and Degel Hatorah would back the budget in its first reading, based on an understanding that the second and third readings would move forward only after the Draft Law was passed.
That expectation unraveled when the chareidi parties informed Netanyahu they would not support the vote as planned and asked for a postponement. Netanyahu agreed to delay the vote in order to address unresolved legal concerns.
Amid the growing crisis, Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting that included Smotrich, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and Finance Committee Chairman Moshe Gafni of United Torah Judaism.
{Matzav.com}
The budget vote should be delayed until after the Judicial Reform – which is long overdue. After which, the Draft Law and everything else will fall into place.