Lapid’s statements came after he and Netanyahu held a security briefing on Monday<\/a>, during which Lapid said the prime minister requested that the state budget be reopened to allocate additional funds to the defense establishment.<\/p>\n The opposition leader said he would not support the proposal if it meant raising taxes and, instead, conditioned his support for the prime minister\u2019s proposal on canceling coalition funds being transferred \u201cto finance haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft evasion.\u201d<\/p>\n Lapid had noted that, in general, he supported transferring the funds to increase the defense establishment\u2019s budget \u201cbecause the IDF needs to be strengthened.\u201d<\/p>\n Adjustments can be made to the state budget if they receive the required Knesset approval.<\/p>\n The Knesset is currently on summer recess ahead of the October elections, but the plenum can still convene under certain circumstances. As a result, opposition support would be significant for advancing Netanyahu\u2019s proposal.<\/p>\n Netanyahu\u2019s ruling Likud party stated after the Monday meeting that Lapid was \u201cmisleading the public about the defense budget.\u201d<\/p>\n Increasing defense budget without raising taxes<\/p>\nYair Lapid walks next then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, November 8, 2021 (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI\/FLASH90)<\/p>\n