Finance Minister Smotrich Does Not Seek Separate Representation in Tax Benefits Case for Torah Institutions

The Supreme Court heard a petition on Monday challenging the revocation of tax benefits (Section 46) from Torah institutions where draft-eligible students study. Despite the issue falling under his jurisdiction and his recent reservations about the move's impact on the Torah world, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich did not request separate legal representation in the case. Consequently, the state was represented solely by the Attorney General's legal stance, without a distinct position from the Finance Ministry. Political insiders told Kikar HaShabbat that no request for separate representation was submitted by Smotrich, rather than it being denied. The reasons behind this absence of separate representation remain unclear, raising questions about whether it was a deliberate choice by the minister or a professional decision made for other reasons. Further investigation and updates are expected.