Israel’s budget: the clever move of “Bibi” Netanyahu

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By favoring his ultra-Orthodox allies in the next budget, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is consolidating his political future.

By Daniele Kriegel

Prise in the early morning, Wednesday, May 24, the photo speaks volumes: we see Benyamin Netanyahu wearing a broad smile. Around him, the deputies and ministers of his coalition, no less smiling. Forgotten, the fatigue of a sleepless night in plenary, after hours and hours of debate. Forgotten, the threats made by some coalition partners not to pass the finance law. The 2023-2024 budgets were voted on, before the deadline and by a large majority: 64 for, 55 against.

“It’s a good budget, it will serve the citizens of Israel,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after the vote, immediately applauded by the entire coalition, standing up to show flawless unity. A euphoria shared by the head of government who, via a tweet, had…