Israel approves 2.6B shekel budget cuts; welfare ministry warns of harm to vulnerable groups

The Israeli government is set to approve a broad 2.6 billion shekel cut across all ministries, following a 1 billion shekel reduction for Apache helicopter purchases. The Ministry of Welfare faces a 140 million shekel cut, which it warns will severely impact women in prostitution, victims of violence, and people with disabilities. This is part of an ongoing fiscal tightening, with hundreds of millions already cut, straining the ministry's ability to meet needs.