Israel approves 2022 general budget

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli parliament (Knesset) on Friday passed the country’s 2022 general budget, a move that averts the prospects of going for early elections.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Network said the budget was passed with the votes of 59 lawmakers of the 120-member Knesset, while 56 others opposed.

Commenting on the budget passing, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter "tonight, we have put Israel back on track."

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation network added that the opposition lawmakers left the Knesset before announcing the results by Knesset Speaker.

The state budget for 2022 is 573 billion Israeli shekels ($183 US billion) while the budget passed for the current year 2021 is 609 billion Israeli shekels ($194 US billion)

By agreeing on the budget, the Israeli coalition government is secured from dismantling, at least till 2023 when Bennett is set to hand over the premiership to Foreign Minister Yair Lapid based on their coalition agreement to form the government.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara