Israeli Finance Committee Approves Tens of Millions for PM Office and 'Kanaf Zion' Aircraft
The Israeli Finance Committee approved several budget transfers, including about 52 million shekels to the Prime Minister's Office. Part of this funding is designated for operating the Authority for Socioeconomic Development of the Haredi sector, as part of coalition funds anchored in a government decision. Additionally, the coalition is set to approve another 90 million shekels tomorrow for security and fortification at the Prime Minister's Office, plus 25 million shekels for the "Kanaf Zion" aircraft.
According to State Comptroller reports, the total cost of purchasing, upgrading, converting the plane into a passenger/leader aircraft (including advanced communication and defense systems), and building related infrastructure such as a hangar at the Nevatim base, is estimated at approximately 729 million shekels. Official Prime Minister's Office documents claim construction costs were half that amount, though details are unclear.
The Finance Ministry noted that this budget plan exceeded the approved budget by 7 million shekels due to payment timing under contractual obligations charged against an authorization budget. This means funds were spent before Finance Committee approval. The committee's legal advisor cited Supreme Court rulings stating the government cannot create a budget deficit in advance relying on future committee approval. Requests submitted after funds were already disbursed are deemed fundamentally flawed and illegal, thus not subject to approval.
The committee was informed that the Knesset legal advisor contacted the Finance Ministry's legal advisor on this issue. The legal counsel expressed concern that a similar previous request was rejected for illegality, yet the current request increased amounts, changed funding sources, and included coalition funds not previously disclosed, relying on outdated 2023 legal opinions without current justifications.
The committee strongly criticized the Finance Ministry's conduct, which in response to the committee's insistence on legal compliance, chose to "punish" the relevant authority by freezing all its budgets. The legal advisor demanded the ministry immediately release ongoing budgets lawfully and cover deficits from other sources. Any budget transfer approval will require a formal commitment from the Finance Ministry to cease such improper practices.
The committee also approved a transfer to the Welfare Ministry, including about 16 million shekels in coalition funds for support tests aiding families of terror victims, expanding support tests for organizations addressing food insecurity, and increasing vacation programs for people with disabilities. Furthermore, approximately 586 million shekels were authorized for commitment to the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee. This funding supports implementing coalition agreements in 2026, strengthening resilience in northern communities within 9 km of the Lebanon border, rehabilitating and developing western Negev settlements from 2025 to 2029, and promoting sustainable demographic growth in the Golan Regional Council and Katzrin from 2026 to 2030.
