While the fighting continues with no clear endgame, it dictates Israel’s political and social agenda. It is said that the war is a great leveler; however, the production of weaponry is not: a good portion of the millionaires and billionaires that made their fortunes in Israel in the course of the last two or three decades did so by producing arms based on hi-tech.

The human suffering caused by the present war is unprecedented in Israel’s war history. Against this background, the 2025 budget proposal promises Israelis numerous “dark years” — years without a social agenda.

Israel’s chances of reaching the higher echelons of OECD social and economic scales will grow dimmer and dimmer year by year, as the hostilities continue and the military budget maintains its first-priority status.

While the Knesset prepares to pass the national budget for 2024, the question of a rising defense budget and dwindling funds for social services are at the top of the agenda.

Israel’s national budget for 2024 indicates a “day after” with more warfare, less welfare and less equity.

The term “Gaza Envelope” came into usage 20 years ago. The area was all but abandoned in the recent state budget: the per capita amount approved for 2023 and 2024 was lower by 31% than that of 2022