Israeli Finance Committee Debates Massive Funding Transfers to Haredi Institutions and West Bank Settlements

The Knesset Finance Committee convened a special session on Wednesday morning during the recess to approve the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels as part of coalition agreements. Significant allocations include 16.5 million shekels to the "School of the Summer Vacation" for Haredi exempt institutions and a substantial 117 million shekels to the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions for projects in the West Bank.

Opposition MKs Vladimir Beliak and Naor Shiri have appealed to the government legal advisor Gali Baharav-Miara, as well as legal advisors from the Finance Ministry and the committee, requesting a halt to some transfers due to concerns over potential political misuse of funds during the election period. Additional approvals expected include 32.5 million shekels for archaeology in the West Bank and 75 million shekels to the Ministry of Heritage, with 11.5 million shekels authorized for commitments.

The committee is also set to approve over one billion shekels to the Defense Ministry, covering expenses from the "Roar of the Lion" operation, enhanced security components, and the prosecution of the Nukhba terrorists. Other notable allocations include 26.2 million shekels for dropout prevention programs, 71.8 million for the national service framework in education, and various subsidies and support funds for Haredi educational and cultural institutions, including 16.2 million for after-school programs, 30.4 million for religious education administration, and 12.5 million for Jewish Haredi culture.

Additional funding supports yeshivot encouraging IDF enlistment (8.7 million shekels), expansion of support for Torah institutions (4.3 million), increased aid for Torah institutions in the "Rebirth Region" (15.2 million), and coordination bodies for Torah institutions (3.9 million). The session highlights the ongoing political negotiations and financial commitments to religious and settlement sectors amid the parliamentary recess.