The Knesset Finance Committee has approved NIS 3 billion for defense spending, acting on a request from Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Shteinitz. Committee chair MK (Yahadut HaTorah) Moshe Gafne is delaying the actual funding until next week.

Gafne is waiting for written confirmation on two matters, a promise to allocate an additional NIS 100 million towards funding protective vehicular glass for Jewish motorists of communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron as well as a commitment to connect IDF bases, primarily in the Negev area, to the national sewage system.

Defense officials explained NIS 1.5 billion is necessary to cover the costs of Operation Cast Lead and the remainder is required for immediate defense and intelligence-related spending. No additional information regarding the additional funding is being released.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)