Israeli parliament approves record military budget for 2026, avoiding government collapse

Israel's parliament approved a massive defense budget for 2026, preventing the government from falling while significantly increasing military spending. The total planned expenditure for 2026 amounts to approximately 850 billion Israeli shekels (234 billion euros), with defense receiving the largest share of increases. The budget passage came as the government faced a potential collapse, making the vote crucial for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition stability. Opposition parties criticized the military spending surge as excessive, with some describing it as a "historic theft" from other government sectors that will face corresponding cuts to accommodate the defense increases.