Smotrich vetoes procurement of new fighter jets

• Published date: 01 April 2024
• Author: Oren Dori
• Publication title: Globes (Rishon LeZion, Israel)

Smotrich wrote, "In recent days, the Ministry of Defense has requested to convene, without consent, the committee. Convening the ministerial committee and approving a deal of this magnitude, without the consent of the Ministry of Finance, and over the head of the Minister of Finance, is unprecedented and I do not intend to allow it."

The dispute between the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Defense is not about the need to procure the new squadrons, but about the fact that it is being done without the committee, which is supposed to discuss the defense budget for the coming years, having not yet been convened. In his letter, Smotrich blames the Ministry of Defense for the fact that establishment of the committee has been dragging on for a long time.

"In a joint summary that I led with the Ministries of Finance and Defense regarding the amended budget for 2024, it was decided that for this purpose a public committee would be set up, which would submit its recommendations within about two months. Since the aforementioned...