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Knesset panel approves budget transfer of NIS 270 million to haredi education during recess

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • The Knesset Finance Committee approved a NIS 270 million budget transfer to ultra-Orthodox (haredi) education institutions during the Knesset's recess.
  • Opposition lawmakers criticized the meeting's timing and the allocation of funds, particularly concerning core curriculum subjects and the haredi conscription issue.
  • The Supreme Court is set to review challenges to these budget transfers on Wednesday.

The Knesset Finance Committee has approved the transfer of approximately NIS 270 million to haredi (ultra-Orthodox) education institutions, a decision made amid the Knesset's recess ahead of elections.

when the world of Torah study and education faces significant difficulties, it is our duty to continue caring for Israel’s children and the haredi education system.

— Moshe GafniDegel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni welcoming the approval of funds for the haredi education system.

The committee convened after Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana approved the meeting, despite objections from opposition lawmakers who argued against holding sessions during recess and questioned the proper procedure for convening. The approval came after a lengthy and contentious debate. In total, the committee approved about NIS 1 billion in budget allocations for the Education Ministry, the Settlement and National Missions Ministry, and the Religious Services Ministry.

Opposition lawmakers sharply criticized the transfer, with a primary point of contention being the allocation of funds to haredi institutions that often do not teach mandatory core curriculum subjects. The issue of haredi conscription, amid a severe manpower shortage in the IDF, also fueled the debate. Yesh Atid MK Vladimir Beliak accused the government of "selling out Israelis who work and serve" and transferring "hundreds of millions of shekels" to draft dodgers. Similarly, Democrats MK Naama Lazimi stated the "draft-dodging government continues to loot the funds belonging to all of us."

They simply took your money, your children’s money. hundreds of millions of shekels, and transferred it to draft dodgers.

— Vladimir BeliakYesh Atid MK Vladimir Beliak criticizing the budget transfer.

The Degel Hatorah faction within the haredi United Torah Judaism Party welcomed the approval, with chairman MK Moshe Gafni stating it is their duty to "continue caring for Israel’s children and the haredi education system." However, challenges to these budget transfers are scheduled to be reviewed by the High Court on Wednesday.

The draft-dodging government continues to loot the funds belonging to all of us.

— Naama LazimiDemocrats MK Naama Lazimi criticizing the transfer of funds.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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