Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana Uses Special Authority to Approve Controversial Budget Transfers During Election Recess

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud) decided on Sunday to convene the Finance Committee during the election recess to approve a series of disputed budget transfers, despite opposition objections. The committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday morning. According to Knesset rules, after the Knesset dissolves, committees can only convene with the consent of both coalition and opposition representatives. However, the opposition opposed the meeting due to planned transfers including 124 million shekels to the Settlement Ministry led by Orit Strook, 268 million shekels to ultra-Orthodox education via the Education Ministry, 78 million shekels to the Religious Affairs Ministry, and authorization for 17.5 million shekels in commitments to the ministry.

Ohana invoked his authority under Knesset regulations (section 112b), which allows the Speaker to permit committee meetings during recess in special cases upon request by the committee chair, government, government secretary, or one-third of committee members. Knesset sources indicated Ohana was warned that failure to approve the transfers could halt government ministry operations. The Knesset legal advisor, Shagit Afik, approved convening the committee to discuss six budget requests, citing that delays could freeze ministry activities.

Afik noted that five of the requests and three re-votes were included in a July 17 Knesset committee decision allowing a Finance Committee meeting on July 29, but votes were not held due to opposition demands for deeper discussion and time constraints. Since this is a continuation of those transfers, the meeting can proceed if held within a reasonable time. Afik also approved adding a 78.5 million shekel transfer and 17.5 million shekel commitment authorization to the Religious Affairs Ministry for supplier payments, IT systems, council oversight, and salaries. This request was submitted before the July 29 meeting but lacked required data then, justifying its current discussion.

Afik added that opposition coordinator MK Merav Ben Ari opposed convening the committee. She emphasized that any other budget transfer discussions or committee meetings require opposition consent, and without it, no discussions can occur.