Fractures emerge in Israeli coalition over non-military expenditure

Cracks have begun to emerge in Israel's wartime coalition after minister Benny Gantz said his party would vote against planned budget changes.

In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz outlined his opposition to plans by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to funnel extra expenditure into religious schools and settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“We will oppose disbursing coalition funds or any additional budget that is not connected to the war effort or advancing economic growth,” he wrote.

Read more: Fractures emerge in Israeli coalition over non-military expenditure