Israeli Finance Committee Debates Controversial 16 Billion Shekel Budget Transfers Including Coalition Funds

On Wednesday, the Israeli Finance Committee convened to discuss approval of budget transfers totaling approximately 16 billion shekels. Among these transfers are 653 million shekels allocated as coalition funds, designated for purposes outlined in coalition agreements. Opposition members criticized these allocations as "sectoral political funds" and vowed to oppose their approval.

The coalition funds include 124 million shekels for the Settlement Ministry led by Orit Strook, 75 million for the Heritage Ministry under Amichai Eliyahu, and 52 million for archaeology in Judea and Samaria. Additional allocations include 16.5 million shekels for summer school programs in exempt institutions and 268 million shekels for Haredi education that does not teach core curriculum subjects.

Other notable transfers are 76.6 million shekels to promote employment among designated populations, mainly in the Haredi community, 71.8 million for the national service framework in education, 69 million for unofficial education under Shas and Agudat Yisrael, 65.4 million for settlement education, and 62.5 million to fund national service in the Haredi sector. Further funds include 57.3 million for strengthening teacher training and 30.4 million for unique characteristics of state-religious education.

This discussion follows a petition filed last week by Knesset members Vladimir Beliak, Naor Shiri, and Orit Farkash-Hacohen to the Supreme Court, demanding a halt to some transfers, arguing coalition funds are being used for political purposes ahead of elections. Opposition Finance Committee member Vladimir Beliak condemned the move, calling it a "huge sum" intended for political and sectoral interests benefiting coalition members and associates. He pledged to rigorously challenge the transfers during the committee session.

During the meeting, 33 budget transfer requests submitted within the last 24 hours were also slated for approval. If passed, this would complete another round of unusually large budget reallocations amid public criticism over approving coalition funds just months before elections.