Israel's High Court Allows Release of NIS 30 Million for Religious Education

Following a recommendation from the High Court of Justice, a petition that had blocked the transfer of approximately NIS 30 million designated for state-religious education was withdrawn. This withdrawal removes the legal impediment, and the funds are now expected to be released to the state-religious education institutions (HMMAD).

This development is a significant achievement for the campaign led in recent months by the Religious Education Forum, which includes the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot and Ulpanot Center and the Noam-Tzevi network. The campaign aimed to secure the release of these crucial budgets for all HMMAD institutions, supported by legal and public advocacy efforts.

During the period the funds were frozen, all educational institutions had to rely on loans and independent funding sources to cover teacher salaries, religious studies, and identity programs. The release of the NIS 30 million addresses the immediate crisis but is only a temporary solution.

Substantive petitions challenging the overall budgeting method for state-religious education are still ongoing in the High Court. In early November, the Ministry of Education is required to update the court on the progress of its efforts to regulate the unique budgeting for HMMAD. The primary challenge now rests with Education Minister Yoav Kisch to prepare for the upcoming discussion, complete the necessary work, and present a clear, professional position to the court that will safeguard the required funding for state-religious education.

The Religious Education Forum expressed gratitude for the release, acknowledging the efforts of the Bnei Akiva Center and Noam-Tzevi network, and thanking Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his involvement and support. However, they emphasized that the larger battle for the future of HMMAD's budgeting is yet to come, urging Minister Kisch to establish a permanent arrangement to prevent future reliance on temporary solutions.