Israeli Finance Committee Approves Hundreds of Millions in Political Funding Amid Election Recess

Despite the ongoing election recess following the dissolution of the Knesset, the Israeli Finance Committee is set to convene on Wednesday to approve budget transfers totaling approximately 16 billion shekels. Of this amount, around 653 million shekels are earmarked as coalition funds primarily benefiting the ultra-Orthodox and settler communities. Significant allocations include 124 million shekels to the Settlement Ministry led by Minister Ayelet Shaked's successor, Orit Strook of Religious Zionism, and 75 million shekels to the Heritage Ministry under Amichai Eliyahu from Otzma Yehudit.

Opposition members Vladimir Beliak, Naor Shiri, and Orit Farkash-Hacohen, who serve on the committee, argue that such large-scale fund allocations during an election recess exceed the committee's authority. Last week, Beliak and Shiri petitioned the legal advisor to halt some transfers, citing concerns that the funds might be used for political purposes during the election period, and have threatened to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

The committee faces 33 funding requests, some submitted within the last 24 hours. Key budget items include 76.6 million shekels for employment programs targeting specific populations, mainly ultra-Orthodox; 71.8 million shekels for the National Service framework in education; and nearly 69 million shekels for recognized but unofficial religious education institutions affiliated with Shas and Agudat Yisrael. Additional funds support religious Zionist education, teacher training seminars, and infrastructure projects, predominantly in the ultra-Orthodox sector.

This funding round reflects ongoing political maneuvering within the coalition to secure support from key constituencies despite the formal election pause. The opposition's legal challenge highlights tensions over the use of public funds during the sensitive pre-election period and the limits of parliamentary committees' powers when the Knesset is not in session.