Tensions Rise as Funding for Haredi Education Stalls Amid Coalition Dispute

Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, expressed strong anger towards Aryeh Deri and the Shas party, accusing them of delaying the transfer of funds for Haredi education and kindergarten salaries in the Finance Committee. These funds were part of a deal Gafni made with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in exchange for settlement budgets. Degel HaTorah sharply criticized Shas for allegedly holding the kindergarten funds hostage to pressure for increased budgets for the Ministry of Religious Services.

Shas vehemently denied these accusations, claiming that the deal between Smotrich and Gafni was made without their knowledge. They also accused Smotrich of deliberately withholding funds from the Ministry of Religious Services as political retaliation amid ongoing disputes over rabbinical appointments, a crisis first reported weeks ago by Bechadrei. Shas further blamed the Finance Ministry for submitting the religious budget at the last minute, violating the required 48-hour advance notice, which prevented its timely approval.

Aryeh Deri privately criticized Finance Ministry officials harshly and reportedly expressed cynicism about Smotrich as a "partner," as previously reported by Mishpacha magazine. Meanwhile, coalition members are seeking a legal loophole to convene the Finance Committee for an expedited approval of the funds, aiming to bypass the opposition's consent requirement during the election period. Without this, the budgets will remain frozen, prolonging the funding impasse.