Finance Committee Chair Moshe Gafni Blasts Treasury Over Tax Benefits Removal for Yeshiva Associations

On Monday, Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee and member of the United Torah Judaism party, sharply criticized the Israeli Ministry of Finance following the Tax Authority's decision to remove yeshiva and kollel associations from the list of institutions eligible for tax benefits under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance. This decision affects organizations that receive tax-deductible donations.

During a Finance Committee session intended to approve the list of eligible associations, Gafni expressed strong anger toward both the professional and political levels of the Ministry of Finance. He directly blamed members of the government, stating, "Our greatest troubles, in the world of Torah, come from those wearing the knitted kippot (religious Zionists)." He accused the Treasury of acting without proper authority, emphasizing, "I will not remain silent on this matter. I demand the reinstatement of the associations removed from the list. This was done without the authorization of the Finance Minister or the Tax Authority director and contrary to the law. We live in a state of law."

The controversy highlights tensions between ultra-Orthodox factions and the government over financial and legal authority concerning religious institutions. The Finance Committee's decision on the matter remains pending amid the dispute.

Summary: Moshe Gafni, head of the Knesset Finance Committee, condemned the Treasury's unauthorized removal of yeshiva associations from tax benefit eligibility, demanding their reinstatement and accusing religious Zionists of causing major problems for the ultra-Orthodox community.

Points: - The Tax Authority removed yeshiva and kollel associations from tax benefit eligibility. - Finance Committee chair Moshe Gafni strongly opposed the decision. - Gafni blamed religious Zionists for causing major issues within the Torah community. - He claimed the Treasury acted without legal authority. - Gafni demanded the immediate reinstatement of the removed associations. - The Finance Committee's approval of the list is currently stalled due to the dispute.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people":["Moshe Gafni"],"organizations":["Knesset Finance Committee","Ministry of Finance","Tax Authority","United Torah Judaism"],"places":["Israel"]}