Israel’s Cabinet approved the 2008 budget.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert won approval for the $73 billion budget – the biggest in Israel’s history – on Sunday by a vote of 21 to 5. The budget must now be ratified by the Knesset, but a vote there is not expected until late this year or early 2008.
Israel plans to significantly boost spending on defense. Cutbacks on domestic needs such as road safety and law enforcement drew criticism from Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz and Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter.
