Israeli Supreme Court Halts Budget Transfers to Ultra-Orthodox Groups Over Procedural Flaws

The Israeli Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that it is suspending the budget transfers approved the previous day by the Knesset Finance Committee, citing alleged procedural defects. The decision, made by Judge Alex Stein, exempts transfers related to civilian emergency expenses. The petition challenging the transfers will be heard soon by a three-judge panel. Ahead of the hearing, the Finance Committee, the Knesset, and the Ministry of Finance must submit preliminary responses and requests for interim relief at least 48 hours prior.

In response to the court's intervention, Knesset Finance Committee Chairman MK Hanoch Milwitsky criticized the Supreme Court, referencing judges who recently joined the court under a conservative label. Milwitsky called for the closure of the Supreme Court and advocated for establishing a constitutional court instead. The budget transfers in question concern funding allocated to ultra-Orthodox communities, and the court's ruling temporarily halts these allocations pending further judicial review.