Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are “abandoning the future of those who sacrificed their bodies and souls in battle for the State of Israel,” the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization said following a newly agreed-upon defense budget that reportedly excludes increased funding for the treatment of disabled veterans.
The agreement on the 2026 defense budget was reached on Thursday following a dispute between the defense and finance ministries.
The Defense Ministry sought to reach a budget agreement of NIS 183-188 billion, citing “unprecedented investments” in defense amid fears of the growing threat from Iran.
Increasing budget could harm Israel's fiscal credibility, finance ministry claims
The Finance Ministry, on the other hand, cited concerns about the harm to Israel’s “fiscal credibility” in international markets and the widening of the country’s deficit.
"There is no longer an open check and any number wins. We are not breaking the 2026 frameworks, and there will be no horizontal cuts in the ministries' budgets,” Defense Ministry officials told Walla.
The IDF Disabled Veterans Organization called the budget decision a decision to abandon Israel’s heroes and a reneging “on the promises and agreements made to the wounded IDF and security forces.”
“It is impossible to send our best sons and daughters to fight, guarantee them proper rehabilitation, and then withdraw at the moment of truth,” it added.
Warnings of 'national disaster'
The organization also warned of a “national disaster’ if the recommendations made by the Mor Yosef Committee are not approved.
The committee is a panel of experts led by Professor Shlomo Mor-Yosef involved in the trauma and rehabilitation care for wounded IDF soldiers and security personnel.
“The bloodshed on the battlefield must not be in vain. The IDF Disabled Veterans Organization will not stand by and fight for the State of Israel to meet its critical obligations to its fighters,” the organization concluded.