Israel’s multiple wars see finance, defence ministries clash over spending

Israel’s Ministries of Finance and Defence have clashed over the spiralling costs of Israel’s multiple and ongoing wars in the region, which are adding pressure to the government’s budget.

The Israeli military has warned that if the dispute is unresolved it could jeopardise the security of the country.

Since the war on Gaza began in October 2023, Israel has entered its longest period of sustained conflict in its history.

Israeli forces are deployed in Lebanon and Syria as they continue to occupy the Gaza and the West Bank, and are prepared for further conflict with Iran.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that these costly conflicts are being undertaken with “empty coffers.”

The Israeli government has attempted to inject a further 15 billion shekels ($5bn) into the military, the Israeli news website YNet reported, increasing the 2026 defence budget to 184 billion shekels ($60.8bn). The defence funding is a near-record in the country’s history, second only to the 188 billion shekels ($62.2bn) spent on defence during the first year of its genocide in Gaza.

Tensions between Israel’s defence and finance ministries have been building for some time, with the two sides divided over the scale and management of military spending.

In late August, YNet News reported that the dispute was likely to continue even after the additional funding had been approved.