Haredi Parties Block Approval of Tax Benefits for 247 Nonprofits in Finance Committee

The Finance Committee postponed a vote on granting tax benefits under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance to 247 nonprofits due to opposition from Haredi parties. The dispute arose after the Israel Tax Authority removed yeshivas from the approved institutions list, despite the issue still being under Supreme Court review. Haredi Knesset members declared they would vote against the entire list if the yeshivas were excluded. To avoid the proposal's failure, Finance Committee Chair Hanoch Milwidsky removed the item from the agenda and deferred the vote to a later date.

This delay affects numerous organizations supporting families of hostages, bereaved families, IDF wounded, and soldiers from the Haredi community. Among the nonprofits on the list were Netiv HaAsara community, "Metzayevim El Hadagal" supporting Haredi IDF soldiers, "Magen LaLohem," the Hostages and Families Organization, and "Roni's Smile" commemorating Roni Eshel.

During the session, sharp exchanges occurred, with former Finance Committee Chair Moshe Gafni criticizing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Tax Authority Director Shai Aharonovitch, stating, "The greatest troubles for the Torah world come from those with knitted kippot."