Finance Committee to Approve Major Budget Transfers for Security and Coalition Funds

Israel's Knesset Finance Committee is scheduled to convene during the upcoming election recess on Wednesday to discuss a series of significant budget transfers. The committee is expected to approve approximately 14.75 billion shekels for the defense establishment. In parallel, it will also consider the allocation of 124 million shekels in coalition funds and other budgetary items.

The opposition has agreed to the committee's meeting and the approval of these transfers, despite some including coalition funds and budgets for ministries where their necessity is debated. Among the specific allocations are 72 million shekels for the National Security Ministry, the Community Security Directorate, and the firefighting squadron. Additionally, 6 million shekels in coalition funds from the reserve will go to the Welfare Ministry for at-risk youth, including a program for "disconnected Haredi youth in the community."

Further allocations include 46 million shekels for infrastructure at Mount Meron and funding for the Meron Lag B'Omer pilgrimage, managed under the Prime Minister's Office budget, which encompasses the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Tradition. The Ministry of Construction and Housing is slated to receive 40 million shekels from the Israel Prison Service budget for reinforcing older multi-story buildings in northern Israel, within 0 to 9 kilometers of the border.

The committee will also review a 164 million shekel transfer to the National Insurance Institute for benefits, including return grants for evacuees. Other items on the agenda are 30.6 million shekels, alongside a commitment authorization of 22 million shekels and funding for five personnel positions, designated for mapping and registration in Area C and East Jerusalem. Recent requests submitted to the Treasury also include a transfer of 800 million shekels, with 630 million shekels for balancing the compensation fund, and an additional 38.6 million shekels for the Civil Administration.