The Israeli government approved on Sunday the allocation of 2.5 billion shekels for “urgent defense procurement”, to be funded through across-the-board cuts of 4.9% to government ministries’ budgets, less than two weeks before the October 27 elections, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The cuts affect key ministries such as education, health and welfare, and a legal opinion attached to the proposal warned of the implications of the cuts, noting the need for the government to exercise restraint in making decisions during the election period. The legal opinion also raised concerns that approving the funds so close to the elections could create an irreversible situation for the incoming government and risk prioritizing party interests over the public interest.