The cabinet on Sunday approved massive, across-the-board budget cuts in all ministries to accommodate the creation of 11 new bureaus as part of to the 35th government.
The largest in the country's history, the new national-unity government includes 34 ministers and 18 deputy ministers.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The 1.5% cut will also apply to major ministries, including Defense, Foreign Affairs, Education and Health ministries. It aims to create 340 positions in the new ministries – a move carrying a 108 million shekel ($30.8 million) price tag.
The budget cuts include taking about NIS 9.4 million ($2.7 million) to the Prime Minister's Office; NIS 8.8 million ($2.5 million) from the Finance Ministry; and NIS 1.3 million ($371,000) from the Interior Ministry.
Some NIS 8.4 million ($2.4 million) will be cut from the Justice Ministry; NIS 11.4 million ($3.3 million) from the Foreign Ministry; NIS 14 million ($4 million) from the Defense Ministry; and NIS 9.7 million ($2.8 million); will be cut from the Education Ministry's budget.
In addition, the Welfare Ministry's funding will be reduced by NIS 3.6 million ($1 million); NIS 4.3 million ($1.2 million) will be cut from the Health Ministry; the Agriculture Ministry will see a NIS 5.5 ($1.6 million) cut, and NIS 3.7 million ($1.1 million) will be taken from the Transportation Ministry.
The size of the new government has been widely criticized for its having been established during the coronavirus crisis, which has left over a million Israelis unemployed.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
