The state budget for 2021 and 2022 was approved in the first reading in the Knesset

The state budget for 2021 and 2022 was approved in the first reading in the Knesset plenum: Three and a half years after the last budget was approved on March 15, 2018, on Thursday evening the Knesset plenum approved in the first reading the biennial state budget. 59 Knesset members voted in favor of the budget. 54 opposed the budget for 2021 and 53 opposed the budget for 2022. Earlier, the Knesset approved on first reading the Arrangements Law by a similar majority. MK Amichai Shikli on the right is absent from the vote.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said immediately after the approval of the state budget: "We approved an excellent budget on first reading. A budget that strengthens the defense and health systems and takes care of the livelihood of Israeli citizens. A budget that takes care of citizens and not political interests." "This is another step towards a better, more united, more stable country," he said.
He referred to the obstacles that stood in the way of the coalition and noted: "I am proud of the way in which the disputes were resolved out of good will and genuine partnership. This is how better results are achieved for the people of Israel." On approving the Arrangements Act he said "this is an outstanding achievement". He continued: "We are taking a step by step, we have taken a very significant step today after we formed a government, after years of mess, years without a budget, we passed the Arrangements Act."
The Minister of Finance and Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, wrote
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid wrote: "A normal and responsible government conducted normal and responsible budget discussions, today passed in the first reading a state budget. A budget that is not intended for politicians but for what is important to the citizens of Israel." And the Arrangements Law was passed in the first reading in the Knesset! "
Justice Minister and new Tikva chairman Gideon Saar also wrote that this is "a very important step in getting out of the protracted political crisis towards political and economic stability."
The Minister of Defense and Blue and White Chairman Bnei Gantz joined in the greetings: "This is a budget with a real message for the citizens of Israel." He praised Finance Minister Lieberman:
Earlier, the state budget framework bill was approved (special provisions for 2021 and 2022) (legislative amendments and temporary provisions). After a blank ballot, 59 Knesset members voted against 53 opponents. The proposal will be forwarded to the Knesset committee, which will decide where the continuation of the debate will take place.
The state budget for 2021 will reach NIS 439 billion. The budget for 2022 will be about NIS 463 billion. This morning, coalition agreements were reached on three controversial issues - the most recent of which - regulation. According to the agreement - the coalition is committed to the establishment of the regulatory authority within the framework of the existing Arrangements Law.
The sections concerning the final powers of the Authority will be separated from the Arrangements Law and will be enacted with the consent of the coalition factions separately. The legislative process will be completed by the end of the Knesset's winter session in 2022. It is written that "the Authority will have the authority to advise all government ministries that will be required by them to consult with the Authority regarding regulatory moves within their area of ​​authority. The Authority will in fact become an advisory authority.
A statement from coalition chairman Idit Silman said: "Weeks of long days and white nights are over - we have also reached an agreement on regulation, thanks to Abir Kara members and members of the faction leaders and their staff. There is a good and right budget for the citizens of the State of Israel. "
Earlier, agreements were also reached on raising the retirement age for women and reforming agriculture. In a joint statement to Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, with coalition representatives who opposed the reform, it was stated that raising the retirement age for women would be promoted while expanding assistance to underprivileged older women.
Regarding agriculture: The egg industry has been excluded from the law (the discussion on the egg industry will continue in the next 3 months, not within the framework of the Arrangements Law). The specifications of the detailed proposal revealed that the budget of the President of the State will be about NIS 60 million a year, the budget of the Knesset will amount to about NIS 826 million, of which the members of the Knesset will have about NIS 174 million. Their salary alone will be NIS 80 million and their terms another NIS 94 million.
At the last minute some repairs were made. For example, it was decided that large companies would have to pay 30% of the assessment determined for them by the Tax Authority, even if they decide to appeal its determination. The original law stipulated that the advance payment would be made from a debt of NIS 20 million, and this was corrected to a debt of NIS 30 million or more. In addition, hundreds of thousands of disabled people were excluded from paying the congestion charge that will be activated in about three years at the entrances to the Gush Dan metropolitan area.
Other controversial economic reforms and moves encountered opposition and proposals for change during the day, most notably the proposal to tax sugary drinks and disposable utensils. The main opponents were observant Knesset members and representatives of the weaker sections.
Minister Lieberman presented the budget this morning and said: "This is a festive day. After three and a half years, this is the first time this House has held a budget debate. I have been sitting in this House for many years and I do not remember such a period. The budget is the government's priority. "The end of the troll era and a return to normalcy. This is proof that the government is functioning and the coalition is functioning."
He referred to the various reforms presented in the Arrangements Act and said: “This good news of the reform is also great news for farmers who receive direct support and will strengthen agriculture on the one hand, and on the other hand it will lower the cost of living.
"Regarding raising the retirement age for women, I think the outline is the most correct, it also has a safety net and it also gives energy to those women who want to continue working and contributing to the economy. Life expectancy has jumped so we had to make the amendments," the finance minister added.
 Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the coalition from the stands after returning from a two-and-a-half-week vacation in Hawaii. "The budget that was brought in today is a bad budget. It has cuts and tax increases, in stark contrast to your promises. You have hurt farmers, the weaker sections, the periphery, and the middle class," he said in his opening remarks.