Israeli Coalition Approves Over One Billion Shekels in Last-Minute Budget Transfers Ahead of Elections

The Knesset Finance Committee, led by MK Hanoch Milwitsky, has been conducting a marathon session of budget transfers since the weekend, approving over one billion shekels in last-minute reallocations just days before the upcoming elections. Opposition members accused the coalition of daily violations of budget laws, highlighting that many transfer requests were submitted and approved at the last minute, violating the committee's procedural rules requiring at least two days' notice. Legal advisors to the Knesset repeatedly joined opposition protests, warning that several transfers were approved without proper procedural compliance. The High Court of Justice has ruled some recent transfers unlawful.

Over approximately 20 hours of deliberations, the committee approved dozens of transfers, including significant allocations to ultra-Orthodox religious institutions and urgent funding related to post-war rehabilitation efforts. Among the key approvals was a transfer exceeding one billion shekels to the "Tkumah" administration, dedicated to recovery projects following the recent conflict.

Other notable transfers included 235 million shekels from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and interest payments to the Housing Ministry to support ongoing development and transfer management of immigrant housing complexes. Additionally, 155 million shekels were allocated for the government’s plan to rehabilitate and develop Ashkelon city from 2025 to 2029. The Prime Minister’s Office transferred 29 million shekels to bolster support for local authorities absorbing new immigrants.

Environmental funding received 2.2 billion shekels, primarily for the Cleanliness Preservation Fund and alternative landfill infrastructure, alongside environmental education. Smaller transfers included 80 million shekels from various ministries to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, about 20 million shekels for internal adjustments in the Health Ministry budget, and 35 million shekels within the Energy Ministry to support sewage infrastructure.

The opposition remains strongly opposed to the rushed process and the coalition’s disregard for established budgetary procedures, emphasizing the legal and ethical concerns raised by these last-minute financial maneuvers.