Israeli Parliament Approves Multi-Million Shekel Budget Transfers During Election Recess

Despite the Knesset being in recess and following its dissolution ahead of elections, the Israeli Finance Committee is set to approve significant budget transfers next week. These include hundreds of millions of shekels allocated to various ministries and local authorities, with a focus on the Ministry of Settlement led by Minister Orit Strook and the Ministry of Heritage headed by Minister Amichai Eliyahu. The transfers were not approved last week but will be reconsidered after being presented to Knesset members at least 48 hours before the vote. Opposition parties did not object to convening the committee during the recess for this purpose.

A special Finance Committee session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, to approve these budget reallocations, which also include additional funds for the Ministry of Defense. Key allocations include 308.7 million shekels for expenses related to the "Roar of the Lion" military operation, 20.6 million shekels for the Bedouin Authority in the Negev, and 77.48 million shekels for the Antiquities Authority in the West Bank, a transfer that has already raised questions among Knesset members. Other notable allocations are 161 million shekels for civil emergency expenses, nearly 500 million shekels authorized for security and fortification in settlements, and over 200 million shekels for settlements in the West Bank.

Additionally, 77.95 million shekels of coalition funds will be allocated, including 43 million for Jewish culture and 14 million for Jewish studies and Land of Israel education centers. Agriculture support will receive 40 million shekels, and 18 million shekels are earmarked for various expenses such as compensation for victims of the Salis affair, families of Yemenite children, and financial counseling for credit-rejected individuals. Notably, just before the Knesset's dissolution, a budget of 63.35 million shekels was approved for the Ministry of Heritage as part of coalition funds.