Both the budget and the Economic Arrangements Bill passed by large majorities. Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped for continued cooperation with the prime minister.
This evening, the Knesset passed the 2005 state budget and the accompanying Economic Arrangements Bill by large majorities. The NIS 266.6 billion budget passed by 58 votes to 36. The Economic Arrangements Bill passed by 62 votes by 36.
The vote took place just two days before the March 31 deadline. If the budget is not approved by that date, the government falls and new elections take place. In fact, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ensured that the budget would pass through the deal he struck with Shinui party leader Joseph Lapid on Saturday night. Lapid promised his party's 15 votes in return for NIS 700 million to be spent on causes nominated by Shinui.
After the vote, Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped for continued cooperation with the prime minister. Relations between the two men have been strained by Netanyahu's support for a referendum on the plan for disengagement from the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria. The Knesset rejected the referendum bill yesterday.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 29, 2005