Israeli coalition expects first reading of 2026 budget to pass with ultra-Orthodox support

The coalition estimates that the state budget for 2026 will be approved tomorrow in its first reading in the Knesset plenum, with the backing of the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and Degel HaTorah. This is despite earlier threats by the Haredi parties to link approval of the budget to progress on the conscription bill. The report aired this Sunday on Kan News’ radio program “HaBoker HaZeh” on Reshet Bet.

Following approval of the budget, deliberations on the conscription bill are expected to resume on Tuesday in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The discussions will require changes to the bill’s wording after criticism leveled by the committee’s legal adviser, Adv. Miri Frenkel-Shor, regarding several clauses. At this stage, it remains unclear how the sections will be amended and what the final version of the bill will be.

Coalition sources are factoring in four opponents from within the coalition to the bill known as the “Bismuth Law”: Religious Zionism Minister Ofir Sofer, who has declared he will not support the bill even at the cost of his dismissal; MK Yuli Edelstein; Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who has argued the bill lacks a majority; and Likud MK Dan Illouz.

MK Illouz said he will insist on legislation that addresses the IDF’s needs in the wake of the war and eases the burden on reservists. He added that Likud is a party that represents a serving public, and if it ceases to do so, that public will abandon it.