More clarity needed on future defence spending, Israel’s central bank chief says

[Pelican Press 0]

More clarity needed on future defence spending, *******’s central bank chief says

Amir Yaron, governor of the Bank of *******, speaks during an interest rates news conference in Jerusalem, *******, on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

*******’s central bank chief on Sunday called on the government to enact responsible fiscal policy by reining in non-defence spending to offset any further expansion in the military budget.

Lawmakers this month approved an amended 2024 state budget that added tens of billions of shekels to fund *******’s war against the Islamist ************ group ****** in Gaza, as the conflict nears six months.

Amir Yaron, governor at the Bank of *******, said that in order to establish the size of the defence budget in an informed manner, a committee should be established soon, with the participation of defence and civilian functions.

“It should delineate *******’s defence needs in the coming years and formulate an appropriate multi-year budget program that will take into account all the ramifications on the economy,” he said in a letter to cabinet ministers and parliament members in the central bank’s 2023 annual report.

“It is important that if there is an additional increase in that budget, beyond what was already decided, it should be accompanied by fiscal adjustments that will at least prevent an enduring increase in the public debt to GDP ratio.”

******* intends to add some 20 billion shekels ($5.4 billion) of spending towards defence a year going forward.

The amended budget also allows for compensation payments to households and businesses hurt by the war, which was sparked by ******’ shock ******* on ******* on Oct. 7.

It sets a deficit of 6.6% of ****** domestic product (GDP) in 2024, revised from a pre-war level of 2.25%. In February, the deficit rose to 5.6% over the previous 12 months from 4.8% in January.

Yaron said *******’s economy faces significant challenges, particularly low labour productivity and weak basic skills that prevent ultra-Orthodox ******* men and ***** women from integrating into the labour market.

*******’s economy grew 2% in 2023, with zero per capita GDP.

The governor said *******’s economy entered the war with good economic fundamentals and has in the past rebounded rapidly from crises.

“The implementation of responsible economic policy while dealing with current challenges, concurrently with handling the fundamental challenges to the economy and encouragement of its growth drivers, will help achieve sustainable growth,” Yaron said.

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