Shas Condemns Supreme Court Freeze on Budget Transfers to Ultra-Orthodox Education

The Shas party sharply criticized the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to freeze budget transfers approved for ultra-Orthodox education. The court, led by Judge Alex Stein, issued a temporary injunction delaying the implementation of roughly 250 million shekels allocated by the Finance Committee, citing procedural flaws in the committee's discussion. Shas accused the court of undermining democracy and the Knesset's authority, emphasizing that the budget transfers had passed all required legal stages and were properly authorized.

Shas highlighted what it called blatant hypocrisy, noting that the previous government transferred coalition funds in a similar manner just a week before elections without judicial intervention. The party argued that neither the law nor procedures had changed, only the government and the recipients of the funds. Shas chairman Aryeh Deri condemned the court's action as discriminatory against the ultra-Orthodox community and its educational institutions.

Finance Committee chairman Hanoch Milwitsky also condemned the ruling, calling for the Supreme Court to be shut down. The frozen budget transfers were intended to address ongoing funding gaps in ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, including teacher salaries and welfare programs. The injunction followed a petition by the NGO Hiddush and Knesset member Naama Lazimi, who claimed the committee violated parliamentary rules during the election recess. The case will be heard by a three-judge panel soon, with responses due within 48 hours of the hearing date.