Israel’s coalition government is moving quickly to pass a record 2025 state budget and a contentious bill to change the makeup of the committee that appoints judges, in a legislative push ahead of a month-long spring recess set to begin next week.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the Knesset
(Photo: Shalev Shalom)
The Knesset is expected to begin debating the budget Monday at 8 pm, with discussions lasting up to 15 hours. Voting is set to begin Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, a special “40 signatures” debate will be held in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by a late-night session on the judicial selection bill, expected to pass in its final readings Thursday afternoon.
The budget proposal was placed before the Knesset after being approved by the Finance Committee. Its passage is likely after the far-right Otzma Yehudit party rejoined the coalition, giving Netanyahu’s government a stable majority of at least 64 lawmakers.
To ensure swift passage, the Knesset House Committee invoked Clause 98 of the parliamentary rulebook to limit debate to 15 hours. Monday’s plenary session was moved up to 11 a.m. at the request of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
During the opening debate, Finance Committee Chair Moshe Gafni will present the bill, followed by opposition lawmakers who are expected to use their full speaking time. Tuesday’s session will conclude with remarks by Smotrich, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Gafni.
Coalition leaders have also limited amendment votes, allowing just 35 votes on textual clauses and three votes per budget item. Each side is permitted no more than three roll-call votes during the second and third readings.
The budget must pass by March 31 to avoid automatically triggering new elections. Once passed, the coalition is expected to shift focus to the bill restructuring the Judicial Selection Committee, a top priority for Netanyahu’s government.
Other controversial bills, including a proposed military draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox men, an immunity bill for lawmakers, media reforms, and legislation expanding the criteria for disqualifying Knesset candidates, are expected to be delayed until the next parliamentary session.
