Ministry Directors Clash Over Multi-Billion Shekel Budget Cuts in WhatsApp Chat
Government ministry directors clashed in a WhatsApp group over an upcoming multi-billion shekel budget cut for security needs, criticizing top-down directives and coalition funds.
A sharp dispute erupted on Friday in the WhatsApp group of government ministry directors-general regarding an upcoming multi-billion shekel across-the-board budget cut intended for urgent security needs. Tkuma Administration head Aviad Friedman asked whether anyone knew the exact figures, noting that nobody had spoken to him.
Ministry of Religious Services Director-General Yehuda Avidan replied that no one was being consulted. Ministry of Finance Director-General Israel Malachi attempted to calm the situation, clarifying that the decision came directly from the Prime Minister and that even the Ministry of Finance was bypassed in a top-down directive.
Avidan sharply criticized Malachi for the lack of transparency, questioning why ministries are not permitted to decide where the cuts fall or to trim coalition funds instead of baseline budgets. Avidan also accused the finance ministry of failing to refund money for unexecuted government decisions.
