IDF Budget Cuts Mean No Money for ‘Elements That Produce Security,’ Official Says
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The Israel Defense Forces will begin ceasing various activities as of early June, while certain military functions such as vehicle repairs are expected to dwindle one after the other, defense officials said Monday.
“The significance of the emerging 2015 budgetary outline is that we will not be able to begin the year at all,” Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Dan Harel told military correspondents at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv on Monday, Israel Hayomreported.
According to Harel, “There will be money for elements pertaining to rehabilitation and retirement, because that is the law, but we won’t have money for the elements that produce security.” Untouchable portions of the IDF budget include $2.1 billion for pensions and $320 million for soldiers’ salaries during their mandatory service.
The IDF budget is expected to drop from the current annual level of $7.63 billion to $6.45 billion in 2015.