Finance Committee Chair Criticizes Tekuma CEO Over Delayed Northern Business Aid Funding

Hanoch Milvitsky, chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, has publicly criticized the management of Tekuma and Tenufa, two government agencies responsible for economic development, over delays in transferring over one billion shekels intended to support businesses in northern Israel. Milvitsky is demanding that half a billion shekels be allocated to compensate businesses affected by ongoing damage in the north before releasing further funds.

Sources familiar with the matter expressed frustration with Milvitsky's approach, noting that while there is a clear problem with businesses near the border, especially those damaged by recent conflicts, the solution should come through property tax compensation rather than reallocating funds from Tekuma and Tenufa. They warned that diverting money from other sectors such as health and education in the north would be detrimental. The freeze affects four communities severely impacted by the October 7 massacre, including Holit, Kfar Aza, Nir Oz, and Be'eri, whose residents have not yet fully returned home.

Milvitsky accused Tekuma's CEO, Aviad Friedman, of inefficiency and failing to cooperate with the Finance Committee. He stated that despite multiple weekly meetings, Friedman has avoided providing a detailed budget utilization report, which Milvitsky suspects is being deliberately withheld. Milvitsky also rejected claims that Tekuma failed to provide requested data to the Prime Minister's Office, noting ongoing meetings to resolve the issue.

Milvitsky emphasized that Tekuma currently holds one billion shekels, some earmarked for northern businesses, and insists on transparency regarding how these funds have been used. He criticized Tekuma's lack of support for northern businesses and called for urgent action, stating, "No one wants their funds touched, but this is a strategic national event and requires decisive measures."