JERUSALEM — Israel’s cabinet is expected to vote on the long-delayed 2026 state budget next month, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Tuesday, but its approval faces an uphill political battle that could ultimately lead to new elections.

According to Israeli law, the budget must be approved by parliament by the end of March or new elections are triggered.

Budget disputes in past coalition governments led by Prime Minister Benjamin have played a role in bringing about early elections. His present coalition of right-wing and religious parties has been in power since 2022, with the next election due in October 2026.

But the government has splintered in the past two years over the Gaza war, the ceasefire which has halted it and demands by ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties to exempt Jewis

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