Budget
No-bid White House contract awarded for ballroom construction to tune of $500 b.
US President Donald Trump was directly involved in negotiating some costs for the ballroom, A Washington Post report said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveils £15 billion UK defense plan as legacy project
Your Investments: Getting back to basics for a secure financial future
Pentagon tells US lawmakers it needs $80 billion for Iran war costs, other bills - report
Israel's budget deadline: What happens if Knesset cannot agree in time? - explainer
By law, failure to pass the budget by March 31 leads to an automatic collapse of the government and snap elections within about 90 days.
Knesset advances 2026 state budget in first reading amid coalition crisis over haredi draft
The Degel Hatorah faction within United Torah Judaism received a green light from spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando to vote in favor of the state budget, Lando's office said.
Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote
Both haredi parties have threatened to withhold support for the state budget unless agreements are reached on the draft law to avoid conscription.
Knesset to vote on first reading of 2026 state budget, amid haredi parties' threats
If the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.
Government submits 2026 budget to Knesset, Smotrich vows passage despite rifts
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the government was "determined to pass it [the state budget] on first reading,” during a press conference at the Knesset on Monday.
Gov’t faces one-week deadline to pass first reading of state budget amid haredi draft bill threats
A first reading of the budget must be approved for the state to approve it in March.
Shas threatens to vote down 2026 state budget if haredi draft law not passed
Without the support of Shas lawmakers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could lack the votes needed to pass the budget.
Defense Ministry director-general says Israel returned too quickly to pre-Oct. 7 budget approach
He accused the Finance Ministry of consistently underfunding the defense establishment, leading to debt within defense industries.
Shas threatens to oppose 2026 state budget over haredi food-voucher exclusion
If the budget is not approved by the end of March, the close of the fiscal year, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and new elections will be called.
What did the gov’t approve for Israel’s 2026 state budget? - explainer
The 2026 budget passed its first test, yet the battles over defense, taxes, and reforms expose a government more focused on managing crises than shaping policy.