Opposition Leader Yair Lapid Accuses Prime Minister Netanyahu of Fleeing During 2024 Budget Vote
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid claimed on Wednesday evening that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “fled” during the vote on the 2024 budget.
Lapid stated, shortly after the Knesset vote on the budget, on the platform of Ex, “Netanyahu fled during the vote on the humiliating budget that the Knesset had just approved.”
“He (Netanyahu) is not suitable for his position, and this budget is invalid,” he added.
“This is the worst government in the country’s history, and the worst budget in its history.”
The Knesset General Assembly approved the State Budget for 2024 in its first reading on Wednesday evening.
The bill requires three readings for it to come into effect.
Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman presented the proposed budget, amounting to 724 billion shekels (198.5 billion dollars), stating that it includes additions to security forces and the reconstruction of the Home Front.
Before the vote, Lapid said, “The budget reflects that the government only deals with what is good for it, everything that led us to the terrible moment on October 7th is back,” according to the Calcalist website.
He added, “This is not a budget, but a message that you have learned nothing, and you members of the government coalition only care about yourselves.”
The Israeli Knesset finally approved the amended budget for 2023 in mid-December, meeting the needs of the war in Gaza, and developments in the north on the border with Lebanon, according to the Israeli news site “Times of Israel.”
