Israel's military rejects government's proposed defense cut
TEL AVIV — The Israeli military and Defense Ministry have opposed a
reform plan approved by the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Officials said the military and the ministry have rejected a plan by a
commission headed by former Finance Ministry director-general David Brodet
designed to reduce defense spending by 30 billion shekels, or $7.2 billion,
over the next decade. They said the commission's recommendations would
hamper a military buildup required in wake of the war against Hizbullah in
2006, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We are looking for more money to implement the lessons of the Lebanon
war, and we're getting less," an official said.
Also In This Edition
On Sunday, the Cabinet approved the Brodet report, which encountered
opposition by the Defense Ministry and the Finance Ministry. Officials said
the Finance Ministry, in a heated session, had sought additional cuts in the
defense budget, set at more than 48 billion shekels [$11.1 billion]
annually.
The Defense Ministry has demanded an increase of at least six billion
shekels for the military's annual budget, which would reach 55 billion
shekels, or $12.7 billion. The commission recommended an increase of three
billion shekels
[$693 million] over fiscal 2007. In the end, the Cabinet approved a two
billion shekel [$462 million]
increase in the defense budget.
Officials said the ministry has defended the need for a massive budget
increase by pointing to new threats to Israel. They cited projects meant to
protect Israeli communities from rocket and missile attacks such as those
launched
by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah during the 34-day war in mid-2006.
The military also wants to establish two army divisions in preparations
for any regional war. The cost of the plan was expected to top $1 billion.
The Defense Ministry also said it would refuse to implement the
commission's recommendations to reorganize the military. Officials said
defense chiefs have rejected any move to cut salaries or benefits for
officers over the next decade.
