A budget crunch at the Foreign Ministry in effect since the start of the new year has led to an almost complete freeze of overseas travel by Israeli diplomats and the suspension of major operations.
Funding for special events and diplomatic travel for 2019 has dropped by 90% compared to 2018. Aside from its impact on travel, it means the ministry will not be able to host its annual conferences and run flagship programs.
The most noticeable impact is on projects run by the ministry in developing countries through its international aid agency. The budget shortfall has resulted in a complete halt to those projects
"Employees no longer work, they just keep staring at their office lamps all day," one foreign ministry official told Israel Hayom.
The official said that the ministry was unlikely to obtain more funding before a new foreign minister is appointed after the April 9 election. He warned that the impact would be felt until the end of 2019, even if funding eventually increased.
Israeli ambassadors who spoke with Israel Hayom said the budget shortfall has had a demoralizing effect.
"This crisis is unprecedented; this is a catastrophe that prevents us from doing even the bare minimum – we can't travel, there are no funds for any activities, and we don't even have money to hold the annual Independence Day reception at the embassy."
The Finance Ministry issued a statement on Thursday saying it was "not aware of any crisis, and if such exists, it is a result of the Foreign Ministry being unable to take the steps it pledged to take when it signed the agreement with us."
