Israeli Ministers Clash Over Haredi Funding and Arab Sector Cuts
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended government subsidies for Haredi families with high birthrates at an industry conference, while MK Ahmad Tibi protested proposed cuts to Arab sector development funding. MK Yaakov Asher argued against barriers to Haredi employment, and Smotrich also criticized agricultural cartels. Tibi announced his party's support for a state inquiry into the October 7th events, which he termed a "massacre."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended funding Haredi families with eight children on average, citing birthrate as a key value.
- MK Ahmad Tibi protested proposed cuts to Arab sector development funding, calling them a symptom of skewed priorities.
- MK Yaakov Asher argued that state institutions create employment barriers for the Haredi community.
- Smotrich rejected economic forecasts and highlighted natural integration of Haredi women into the workforce.
- Smotrich criticized agricultural cartels for price gouging, using the example of expensive grapes.
- Tibi announced support for a state inquiry commission into the October 7th events, calling them a "massacre."
At the "Israel Chooses Industry 2026" conference hosted by the Manufacturers Association, Israeli officials engaged in heated debates regarding public funding, particularly for the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, and budget cuts affecting the Arab sector. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended government subsidies for Haredi families, citing the community's high birthrate as a value to be supported, even when it exceeds tax contributions. He presented a philosophical stance prioritizing this value over pure mathematics, contrasting it with a study showing Haredi families receive NIS 7,000 more monthly than they pay in taxes, while the average Zionist family contributes NIS 5,000 more than it receives.
Smotrich rejected "apocalyptic forecasts" regarding the economy, highlighting natural processes of integrating Haredi women into the workforce, which he noted exceed OECD averages. He declared his intention to fund Haredi families with an average of eight children, a statement met with audience protests. The minister also criticized agricultural "cartels" for price gouging, using the example of expensive grapes to illustrate his fight for agricultural market competition.
Member of Knesset Yaakov Asher countered claims of Haredi dependency, arguing that state institutions create barriers to employment for the community. He urged for criteria to be adapted to the population, not the other way around, and stated that the Haredi community would not compromise on its values, particularly regarding core curriculum studies. Asher also defended state support for Torah scholars (Olmels) as equivalent to aid for any unemployed individual.
Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi protested a government decision to allocate approximately NIS 1.03 billion for classified defense procurement by purportedly cutting a five-year plan for Arab sector development. He argued this was a symbolic cut, as the plan had not yet been approved. Tibi expressed anger over the perceived skewed priorities, stating he would prefer cuts from settlements. He also announced his party's support for a state inquiry commission into the October 7th events, calling them a "massacre."
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