Israeli Government Increases Funding for Private Haredi Kindergartens Despite Reporting Delays

The Israeli government approved a decision on July 5, 2026, to increase funding for private Haredi kindergartens, extending deadlines for mandatory reporting on teacher qualifications and experience. This move, initiated by Education Minister Yoav Kish, allows subsidized Haredi kindergarten networks to continue receiving higher budgets even though less than 40% have submitted complete employment data as previously required.

The government extended the reporting deadline to the end of 2026, a significant delay from the original August deadline. Kindergartens that have reported data for at least 85% of their teachers will be exempt from budget cuts, while those failing to start reporting by the end of August 2026 will receive funding based on a basic 12-year seniority level, with retroactive financial adjustments for any excess payments already made.

This decision reverses earlier agreements that conditioned full funding on complete and transparent reporting. Opposition MK Kinley Torpaz from Yesh Atid criticized the move as a "political bribe" by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure Haredi support ahead of upcoming elections. Torpaz argued the policy unfairly benefits those with higher seniority while protecting those who have not reported data, unlike other sectors in Israel.

The Education Ministry revealed that out of 6,129 Haredi kindergartens, only 2,391 have submitted data so far, highlighting a lack of transparency in public fund usage. Although the measure will cost tens of millions of shekels in the next school year, the Finance Ministry has not yet provided a funding source, but the Education Ministry insists the Finance Ministry must fully and promptly allocate the necessary funds.

This decision is part of a series of government measures favoring the Haredi sector just before the Knesset's term ends and elections begin.