The first draft of the state budget for 2024 was released today, revealing that the Ministry of National Security will only receive 6 billion instead of the promised 9 billion to supplement the salaries of police officers. This news has caused concern for Minister Ben Gabir, who had hoped to raise the standards of the police force and improve working conditions. He has threatened not to vote for the budget unless an agreement can be reached with the Treasury in the near future.
The promised 9 billion shekels per year was meant to be divided into two parts, with the goal of raising police officer salaries and adding new standards to the police force. Minister Ben Gabir had demanded 14 billion shekels yearly for the police in the coalition agreements, but this was eventually reduced to the current promise of 4.5 billion shekels per year.
Sources within Otzma Yehudit, a party in the coalition, are worried that passing a partial budget for the police could lead to the collapse of the department. Meanwhile, officials within the police force hope that Minister Ben Gabir will continue to fight for the promised funds and oppose the budget if necessary.
The state budget for 2024, which will be voted on next week in the Knesset in the first reading, was published today (Thursday) and according to the budget – the Ministry of National Security receives only 6 billion and not the entire 9 billion promised as an addition to the police. Minister Ben Gabir threatens that he will not vote in favor of the budget as presented now, but hopes to reach an understanding with the Treasury in the coming days.
As I recall, Laban Gabir, who promised to raise the salaries of the police officers and improve the difficult situation in the police, was promised 9 billion NIS for the security forces, led by the Israel Police, which is asking for budgets to raise the salaries of the police officers and add standards.
As a reminder, Minister Ben Gabir announced that if the amount promised to the police is not allocated in the budget, Otzma Yehudit will not vote with the coalition on the state budget. Now, the government is trying to help Minister Ben Gabir reach agreements with the Treasury in order to be able to pass the budget in the coming days, with Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fox acting as a mediator.
As I recall, in the coalition agreements, Minister Ben Gabir demanded 14 billion shekels per year for the police, which turned into a promise of 4.5 billion shekels per year – that is, 9 billion in total in two parts, which were supposed to be used as an addition for new standards in the police and raising the salaries of the police officers.
Today, Otzma Yehudit sources were concerned about the implications of passing a partial budget for the police and say that the meaning of such an event is that the police could collapse.
In a conversation with officials who are aware of what is happening in the police, they said that the police officers and the many members of the security forces who voted for Ben Gabir in the belief that he would succeed in improving their working conditions now expect him to fight the issue with the Treasury as well as his opposition to the budget if he fails to receive the entire promised 9 billion from the Treasury.