Netanyahu Casts Crucial Vote from Hospital Bed to Pass Budget Bill

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a dramatic return to the Knesset late Tuesday night, just days after undergoing prostate removal surgery, to cast a pivotal vote for a critical budget bill. Despite being advised by doctors to rest, Netanyahu left his hospital bed at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital to ensure the legislation's approval. His vote was the deciding factor, helping the bill pass by a narrow 59-58 margin, just hours before the deadline.

The bill, which targets “trapped profits,” allows the government to tax earnings from corporations that reinvest profits into business development rather than distributing them as dividends. Until now, such reinvested profits were tax-exempt to encourage further investment in Israel's economy. The bill had faced opposition from within Netanyahu's coalition, with some far-right and ultra-Orthodox lawmakers voting against it, leading to tense negotiations behind the scenes.

To secure the vote, Netanyahu worked tirelessly with coalition partners, including convincing Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen to break ranks with party leader Itamar Ben Gvir. The prime minister also coordinated with ultra-Orthodox leaders to prevent a split within the coalition, despite some members threatening to vote against the bill over dissatisfaction with the government’s stance on key issues, including military exemptions for yeshiva students.

Although Netanyahu's health took a toll, he remained resolute in ensuring the legislation passed, with Likud MK Boaz Bismuth also going against personal mourning commitments to support the bill. Netanyahu's decision to leave the hospital has drawn mixed reactions, with his allies praising his determination while critics, including Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, blasted the political maneuvering as an example of government dysfunction.

Netanyahu, who faces internal dissent within his coalition, expressed strong support for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who had been under fire from Ben Gvir for his handling of the budget. The political infighting within the coalition raises questions about the government’s stability going into the new year.

Despite the victory, opposition members condemned the government's actions, accusing Netanyahu and his allies of prioritizing political survival over the welfare of Israeli citizens. The passage of the bill also fueled concerns over fiscal responsibility, particularly regarding the increased funding for ministers and government agencies.

The tension within the coalition is far from over, as Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party considers punitive actions against its own members who defied the party line. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's leadership will continue to face scrutiny, especially as the government navigates its next steps in the coming year.