Critics of Haredi Funding Owe Millions to State
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Political parties and figures who have criticized government funding for the Haredi public owe the state millions of shekels. Benny Gantz's party has a debt of approximately 11 million shekels, while Meretz reportedly owes around 16 million shekels. Parties associated with Naftali Bennett also have outstanding debts exceeding 15 million shekels. The author argues that these politicians should repay their own financial obligations before criticizing Haredi community budgets.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz's party owes the state approximately 11 million shekels in unreturned election funding.
- Meretz party has accumulated debts estimated at around 16 million shekels.
- Parties linked to Naftali Bennett owe the public coffers over 15 million shekels.
- The article criticizes politicians for lecturing on Haredi funding while having personal debts.
- The author suggests a lack of enforcement allows these debts to remain unpaid.
A recent analysis of political parties' financial obligations to the state reveals that prominent critics of government funding for the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public have themselves accumulated significant debts. The author's hobby of investigating the financial backgrounds of those criticizing Haredi community budgets found that many advocating for equal burden-sharing have not served in combat, and those pushing for core curriculum studies have not pursued higher education.
Following Benny Gantz's resignation, the article highlights that his party owes approximately 11 million shekels to the state treasury. This debt stems from advance payments received for election funding, with the understanding that these sums would be repaid if the party failed to pass the electoral threshold. The author notes a pattern where the obligation to repay financial commitments, expected of ordinary citizens, seems to be disregarded by those championing equality.
This phenomenon extends to other parties. Meretz, for instance, reportedly has outstanding debts estimated at around 16 million shekels. Even after various arrangements and offsets, a substantial debt remains, unlikely to be repaid following its merger with the Democrats party. Despite these financial obligations, leaders from these parties continue to criticize Haredi budgets and demand their cessation.
The article also points to Naftali Bennett's campaigns, which featured slogans like "Not on My Dime" or "Not a Shekel to Haredim." However, a simple check reveals that parties and factions associated with Bennett owe 15 million shekels or more to the public coffers, allegedly due to a lack of enforcement.
The author concludes by urging those who criticize Haredi funding, especially before elections, to first settle their own debts to the state. The argument is that if state finances and integrity are valued, these politicians should repay their past obligations before lecturing the Haredi public on resource allocation.