Al Mayadeen English
"Israel's" government has pushed through yet another expansion of its 2025 budget, exposing the spiraling cost of its wars on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran while ordinary citizens face cuts in public services. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a 30 billion shekel ($8.9 billion) hike on Tuesday, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP. The revision comes only five months after the Knesset passed the original budget, revealing how "Israel's" war machine is consuming national resources at unprecedented speed. Here’s what it’s really costing.
Samuel Geddes
Pasquale Liguori
Tim Anderson
Robert Inlakesh
'We need to stand up and fight back': Australia protests for Gaza
At a pro-Palestine protest in Australia, an activist delivered a powerful message highlighting the catastrophic situation in Gaza under the ongoing Israeli genocide and urging people to take action. His call came as tens of thousands marched across the country on Sunday in what organizers described as the largest coordinated pro-Palestine protests in Australia’s history. Spanning more than 40 cities and towns, the rallies came just days after the United Nations declared a famine in parts of Gaza, intensifying global scrutiny of "Israel’s" ongoing siege. The protests, which began at noon in both metropolitan and regional areas, including Shepparton, Geraldton, and Pine Gap, were endorsed by over 250 civil society groups and unions. These included the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Unions NSW, and Unions WA. Protesters demanded sanctions against "Israel" and an end to Australia’s arms trade with the occupation regime.
