IDF chief doubles West Bank forces, blasts Finance Ministry amid 'politicized' budget clash

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced a significant increase in forces in the West Bank, more than doubling pre-October 7 levels, to address escalating Jewish extremist violence and maintain public order ahead of the fall Jewish holidays. This deployment includes elite units like the Golani and Paratroopers Brigades, which Zamir noted risks weakening defenses on Israel's northern and southern borders. The decision follows incidents such as MK Zvi Sukkot's unauthorized destruction of a monument in Madama, and a reported decline in arrests and indictments of Jewish extremists by the police under Itamar Ben-Gvir. Zamir also criticized the Finance Ministry for "politicized and unnecessary fights over budget and side financial issues," citing delays in transferring NIS 15 billion and concerns over an additional NIS 25 billion, part of the IDF's increased annual budget of NIS 160 billion.