Tax Breaks Approved for Hundreds of Nonprofits Despite Haredi Opposition

Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba

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Hebrew · 7 newsrooms covering

The Knesset Finance Committee approved tax benefits for hundreds of non-profit organizations, including those aiding IDF veterans, despite opposition from Haredi lawmakers. The approval followed months of delays caused by a dispute over Haredi yeshiva students' military conscription. Haredi MKs argued the delays were politically motivated and criticized the Legal Advisor's office for obstructing the process. Ultimately, the benefits were granted after the Haredi opposition was overcome.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Hundreds of Israeli nonprofits, including veteran support groups, received tax benefits after months of delay.
Haredi lawmakers opposed the tax breaks due to a dispute over yeshiva students' military conscription.
The delay was linked to the Legal Advisor's office halting benefits for yeshivas without a conscription law.
MKs debated the political motivations behind the delays and the Legal Advisor's authority.
A missionary organization was removed from the list of approved nonprofits at a Haredi MK's request.

Tax Breaks Approved for Hundreds of Nonprofits Despite Haredi Opposition — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Hundreds of Israeli non-profit organizations, including those supporting IDF veterans and disabled soldiers, have been granted tax benefits after months of delays. The approval came despite opposition from Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) lawmakers in the Knesset Finance Committee.

The delay stemmed from a dispute over the conscription of Haredi yeshiva students into the military. The government's Legal Advisor had informed the High Court of Justice in April that the tax benefits for yeshivas should be halted due to the lack of a law regulating their exemption from service. The state proposed that religious institutions seeking renewed approval would need to declare that they had no conscription-liable individuals who had not regulated their status, and provide a list of students.

Consequently, the Tax Authority paused the submission of lists to the committee, which also impacted general charities. The lists were resubmitted in July. MK Hanoch Milwidsky argued that the delayed charities were not necessarily violating the law and that the issue could have been resolved sooner, criticizing the Legal Advisor's office for not approving a proposed temporary three-month arrangement.

MK Moshe Gafni expressed frustration, suggesting the delays were politically motivated and aimed at isolating the Haredi community from the Likud and right-wing bloc. He insisted that only legally entitled organizations should receive benefits, adhering to Section 46 of the tax code, and criticized the Legal Advisor's authority to unilaterally delay approvals without clear justification. Gafni also requested that a missionary organization be removed from the lists pending review.

Despite the Haredi MKs' objections, the tax benefit lists were ultimately approved by the committee.