IDF warns against budget cuts, layoffs

File photo of Israeli forces

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194350.html

The Israeli Ministry of Military Affairs attacks the regime's Finance Ministry after it proposed layoffs and sizeable budget cuts in the military.

The Finance Ministry has suggested reducing Army personnel and slashing NIS 2 billion (USD 570 million) from the Ministry of Military Affairs' annual funding, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Wednesday.

"Finance Ministry officials' conduct over the past few weeks has proven that they know nothing about economy, society or security,” the military authorities said in a statement.

“Their hysteria has them trying to sway the public discourse from debating the financial policy of the last few years,” they added.

The Military Affairs Ministry's response came despite Knesset (the Israeli parliament) recently approving a contribution of NIS 700 million (USD 190 million) to its budget.

In June, Tel Aviv said its benefits from arms sales had risen in 2010, despite the worldwide financial crisis.

The military is of paramount importance in Israel, which owes its existence and expansion to the occupation of Arab territories.

The United States contributes an annual amount of USD 3 billion to the Israeli military.