Petition to High Court Demands Halt to Local Authority Funding of Yeshivas
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A petition has been filed with Israel's High Court of Justice demanding the Interior Minister stop local authorities from funding yeshivas and kollels attended by draft dodgers. The "Israel Free Movement" alleges that millions of shekels continue to be funneled to these institutions through various means, including tax exemptions and land allocations, despite a prior High Court ruling. The movement argues this funding is inappropriate during wartime and disproportionately burdens soldiers. The petition seeks clear guidelines from the Interior Minister to prevent such allocations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A petition filed with Israel's High Court demands a halt to local authority funding of yeshivas for draft dodgers.
- The "Israel Free Movement" alleges millions of shekels are still being transferred to these institutions.
- Funding includes property tax exemptions, land allocations, and direct financial support.
- The movement argues this practice is inappropriate during wartime and burdens soldiers.
- The petition cites data showing significant funding from municipalities like Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.
- The group seeks Interior Ministry intervention to stop these public fund transfers.
A petition was filed with Israel's High Court of Justice (Bagatz) on Sunday, demanding that the Interior Minister halt the transfer of funds from local authorities to yeshivas and kollels attended by draft dodgers. The "Israel Free Movement" organization claims that many municipalities continue to allocate hundreds of millions of shekels to these institutions, despite a High Court ruling from two and a half years ago prohibiting funding for draft dodgers and institutions where they study. The petition argues that the Interior Minister must use his authority to order local authorities to cease these benefits, which include financial support, extensive property tax exemptions, valuable land and building allocations, and funding for events.
The movement highlights that this funding continues during wartime, while the IDF faces a severe manpower shortage and the burden on reserve and regular soldiers is heavier than ever. Data cited in the petition indicates that in 2024, 48 out of 50 associations operating yeshivas and kollels received approximately 61 million shekels from local authorities. Specific examples include the Beit Shemesh municipality allocating valuable land and buildings, and Jerusalem's municipality granting 17.3 million shekels in property tax exemptions to yeshiva and kollel associations in 2022. The petition requests that institutions serving draft dodgers be ineligible for land allocations or extensions of existing allocations.
Uri Keidar, CEO of the "Israel Free Movement," stated, "Until a government is quickly established in Israel that will act to stop the funding for draft dodgers, we will continue to close every path and every crack through which public funds continue to flow to those who left their brothers and sisters alone under the stretcher." He emphasized that local authorities are not private entities and should not use public funds to support draft evasion. The movement is represented by attorneys Dr. Chagai Kalai, Yael Vizel, and Nittai Swid.
Mentioned
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
