Yair Golan Accused of Misleading Public on Haredi Funding Cuts
Yair Golan, a prominent figure in the Israeli political landscape, has repeatedly stated his intention to cut funding to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public, particularly targeting educational institutions that do not teach core subjects like mathematics and English. He has pledged that under a government led by his party, funds will be withheld from schools failing to prepare children for the future and from institutions lacking secular studies and democratic values. Golan also aims to cease public funding for yeshivas and kollels for those not contributing to the economic and military burden.
However, Golan's plan involves not only cuts but also significant new spending. His party proposes increased investment in education, healthcare, public transportation, infrastructure, and welfare services, alongside rehabilitation efforts in the north and south of Israel. Specific healthcare promises include hiring more doctors, nurses, and increasing hospital bed capacity. In education, the focus is on improving teacher salaries and working conditions, expanding early childhood education, and reducing class sizes.
Golan identifies the Haredi sector as a source for these new expenditures, citing a "sectoral resource allocation" in Israel where, according to his party, the Haredi community receives substantial funding at the expense of the working public. He also suggests redirecting funds from "nationalist" projects and settlements towards infrastructure, health, and welfare in the Negev and the north.
Despite these pronouncements, a critical piece of information is missing: a comprehensive financial accounting. The article points out that the exact amount to be saved from Haredi funding cuts and the precise cost of the proposed investments remain unclear. While Golan knows where he wants to cut and where he wants to spend, the overall budget balance is not presented. For context, annual funding for yeshivas and kollels is approximately 1.6-1.7 billion shekels, a sum that would not fully cover the extensive spending plans, especially when compared to the Ministry of Health's 2026 budget exceeding 60 billion shekels.
The Democrats also propose other economic measures, such as boosting growth, decentralizing the economy, opening the food market to imports, integrating Haredim and Arabs into the workforce, and improving public service efficiency. While these could generate revenue or reduce expenses, their financial impact and timeline are also unspecified in the party's plan.
