Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to cast a vote in person on Tuesday in the Knesset to pass a critical budget bill, despite recovering from prostate surgery. The vote was crucial to save the bill, which amends tax laws affecting companies and professional associations.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir faced backlash from coalition lawmakers after voting against the measure, joining the opposition. Netanyahu’s intervention was necessary after the bill appeared in jeopardy due to insufficient support. Likud lawmaker Boaz Bismuth also left his mourning period for his recently deceased mother to cast his vote.
The bill, part of a larger budget package, addresses tax deferral mechanisms that allow companies to save on dividend taxes and retain profits for future investments.
Ben Gvir criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for blocking budget talks, warning that the proposed budget would harm police forces, reduce the number of officers, and halt key security infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, lawmakers from the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party chose to abstain from the vote.
