Israeli Government Approves Controversial 100 Million Shekel Budget for Jewish Diaspora Education

The Israeli government has approved a 100 million shekel budget to strengthen Jewish education in the diaspora, particularly targeting Jewish children in North America. This decision, announced on June 28, 2026, was pushed through under significant pressure from the Prime Minister's Office, led by Director General Drorit Steinmetz, despite opposition from the professional staff of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Originally, the Prime Minister's Office sought a much larger allocation of 500 million shekels, but this was ultimately reduced to one-fifth of that amount.

The timing of the budget approval is notable, coming just before upcoming elections and amid reports of declining performance in Israel's own education system. The funds were allocated from payments originally designated for mandatory interest expenses, meaning the government cannot reduce these payments and had to repurpose the money. Unusually, the budget was approved before a detailed plan for its use was formulated; the government mandated that the program's principles be submitted within 30 days of approval.

Management of the project will be handled by the Prime Minister's Office rather than the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which traditionally oversees such initiatives. This shift was requested by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the organization set to receive the funds, partly due to concerns that the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs might be closed in future governments. The JFNA is expected to match the government's contribution with an additional 100 million shekels.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing the allocation of substantial funds to diaspora education while Israel's domestic education system continues to struggle. Recent OECD data highlighted Israel as having one of the highest proportions of students with low proficiency in reading and mathematics among developed countries. The Prime Minister's social media account celebrated the combined 200 million shekel investment, but critics questioned the timing and priorities of the government.