Israeli Finance Committee Resumes Controversial Budget Transfers to Settlements and Ultra-Orthodox Institutions

The Israeli Knesset Finance Committee has resumed approving budget transfers totaling hundreds of millions of shekels, primarily benefiting settlements and ultra-Orthodox religious institutions, despite legal and procedural objections. Last weekend, the Knesset's legal advisor, Sagit Afik, initially blocked the transfer of 392 million shekels to the Ministry for National Missions, led by Minister Orit Strook, citing that the Finance Committee session exceeded the permitted time during the election recess. This funding was intended for settlement activities and various religious and educational needs within the ultra-Orthodox community.

Following intense coalition pressure, Afik unexpectedly authorized reconvening the Finance Committee to continue approving these transfers, which had already amounted to billions of shekels, including allocations for defense and education ministries. Additional requests for nearly 100 million shekels were submitted last Friday, with a new committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday to consider these funds.

Opposition Knesset members Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Naama Lazimi, Vladimir Beliak, and Naor Shiri have formally demanded that the legal advisor cancel the upcoming session, arguing that approving further political budget transfers during the election period violates election integrity laws and Knesset rules. Opposition member Merav Ben Ari, the sole opposition representative on the committee, strongly opposes the continuation of these sessions without opposition consent, which is required by the Knesset's "Agreement Committee." Some Knesset members are contemplating petitioning the Israeli Supreme Court (Bagatz) to halt the ongoing budget transfers.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over last-minute coalition-driven budget allocations ahead of elections, raising questions about legal boundaries and transparency in parliamentary procedures.