Supreme Court Orders Release of Frozen Funds for Haredi Education
Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the release of NIS 286 million in frozen budgets designated for Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) educational institutions. The funds, which were initially approved by the Knesset Finance Committee in August but subsequently frozen by a temporary court order, are crucial for various educational needs.
These budgets are allocated to the Ministry of Education to cover essential expenses such as salaries for kindergarten teachers, transportation subsidies for students, and funding for afternoon daycare programs. The court's decision on Thursday resolves weeks of political and legal contention surrounding the budget transfers.
The legal challenge was initiated by Knesset Member Naama Lazimi and the Hiddush organization, who argued that the Finance Committee's approval constituted a "budgetary maneuver" during an election period. In response, the court issued an interim order freezing the funds.
However, the Knesset's legal advisor, Shagit Afik, presented a strong argument to the Supreme Court, asserting that the Finance Committee's proceedings were legitimate and that the Knesset Speaker acted within his authority to convene the committee for an "exceptional case" due to the urgency of the transfers for the start of the school year. She contended that parliamentary decisions should have limited judicial intervention.
In its final ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the petitions, siding with the state and the Knesset's position to release the funds. Education Minister Yoav Kisch welcomed the decision, stating that the budgets are vital for the education system and should have been released much earlier. He emphasized his efforts to ensure the funds reached their destination without disrupting educational operations. United Torah Judaism faction chairman MK Moshe Gafni also expressed satisfaction, thanking the legal advisors and affirming that the process followed Knesset regulations, deeming the petition "vexatious and unnecessary."
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