Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai announced delays in defense budgeting would result in delays in the distribution of new personal protection kits, gasmasks and related paraphernalia.

Vilnai explained that the distribution of new kits is scheduled to begin in the early part of 2009, but this may not be the case if the defense budget is not forthcoming.

During a meeting of the Political-Security Cabinet, Vilnai spoke of Finance Minister Roni Bar-On’s promise to give NIS 220 million to the Defense Ministry as per a ministerial decision.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)