JERUSALEM, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel's defense budget for 2026 is set at 112 billion shekels (about 34.7 billion U.S. dollars), according to statements issued by the finance and defense ministries on Friday.
The figure, agreed upon by the two ministries, represents a decrease from the 117.5 billion shekels allocated in 2024 and the 135.7 billion shekels this year, during which Israel was engaged in fighting on several fronts.
The ministries said the reduction is due to a significant expected drop in the recruitment of reserve soldiers next year following the Gaza ceasefire that took effect on October 10.
Despite the decrease compared to the wartime budgets, the 2026 figure is still 47 billion shekels higher than the 2023 defense budget, which covered most of the period before the Gaza war erupted in October that year.
The new defense budget, subject to parliamentary approval as part of the 2026 state budget, was agreed upon after extensive discussions between the two ministries.
The ministries noted that the planned defense budget allows the government to avoid tax increases next year and even creates room for potential tax relief within the state budget.
They also agreed on a separate three-year budget package of around 725 million shekels to reinforce security infrastructure in the occupied West Bank, including travel protection measures, new road construction, military facilities, and projects along the eastern border with Jordan. ■
