Israel passes budget, extending Netanyahu term

Israel’s parliament has passed the budget in a marathon overnight session, likely ensuring that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will complete its term until the fall. Israel needed to pass a budget before April 1 in order to avoid triggering early elections. Israel’s opposition slammed the budget for increasing funding to Israel’s ultra-Orthodox communities at a time when the country is facing soaring costs over its war in Iran and is still reeling from a two-year war in Gaza.