The Israel Defense Forces is strongly opposed to proposed cuts to the defense budget, part of an across-the-board ministerial budget cut proposal being brought to the cabinet for approval Sunday.

The IDF has not been calmed by the treasury's plan to restore some defense expenditures with funds saved by implementing the across-the-board cuts.

The cabinet is expected to vote Sunday on the Finance Ministry's proposal to cut six percent of each ministry's budget. The proposed cuts, which are expected to yield NIS 700 million, will then be used for defense and education purposes.

	Advertisement

A six-percent cut in the Defense Ministry's budget is valued at NIS 480 million.

In three meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Ministry representatives had the chance to point out the cuts' implications.

Defense sources said the cuts will have a serious impact on Israel's defensive capabilities, and insist that treasury officials and other ministers are unaware of the severity of the current security situation.

IDF sources said that the cuts mean there will be less reservist and in-flight pilot training time, and necessary procurements will have to be postponed.

The IDF's main opposition to the cuts is not their size but their timing. Senior IDF sources told Haaretz it is very difficult to carry out the cuts at this time, since a significant portion of the annual budget has already been spent, while other parts are bound by contracts.

They said the proposed cuts are similar to a NIS 750 million budget cut at the start of the year.

The sources said that those cuts that can be made include fewer reservist training days and flight training, and a delay in the delivery of arms and ammunition.

Military sources said that under certain circumstances, the IDF would consider cancelling a brigade-size exercise of one of the army's standing units, which is set to take place in the upcoming months.

As part of the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, the IDF has been conducting intensive standing army and reserve unit training.

The across-the-board ministerial cuts are primarily aimed at boosting the Home Front and parts of the defense establishment, as well as education.

However, the IDF General Staff would prefer that extra funding for other security purposes, including intelligence, originate from cuts from other ministries, not the Defense Ministry.