Israeli Supreme Court Freezes Coalition Budget Transfers to Ultra-Orthodox and Minister Struck's Office

On Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli Supreme Court issued an interim injunction halting nearly all budget transfers approved the previous day by the Knesset Finance Committee. These funds were intended for ultra-Orthodox communities and the office of Minister Orit Struck. Justice Alex Stein ruled the freeze due to alleged procedural flaws during the committee's session and stated the petition would be reviewed by a three-judge panel soon.

The Finance Committee chairman, Hanoch Milwitsky, sharply criticized the court's intervention, calling for the establishment of a constitutional court to replace the Supreme Court's current role. Coalition chairman also condemned the ruling on social media, accusing the court of unchecked activism and contrasting it with past budget transfers under the Bennett government. Opposition MK Avichai Boaron described the decision as judicial overreach and reiterated calls for a constitutional court elected by the Knesset.

The budget transfers approved included approximately 670 million shekels reallocated for civil emergency expenses and 330 million shekels authorized for accelerating bomb shelter construction in communities near the Lebanon border. The Education Ministry was slated to receive around 800 million shekels plus an additional 300 million shekels for various projects, including computerization and programs to reduce gaps in Arab society. Other allocations included funds for religious institutions, welfare organizations, and development projects in the Negev and southern Israel.

The Finance Committee session was convened under exceptional circumstances after Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invoked a special emergency clause to bypass the usual committee consent process. Opposition members petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the transfers, arguing they violated norms during an election period. The court's injunction was hailed by opposition MK Naama Lazimi and attorney Ifat Solel from the Freedom of Religion and Equality Association as a significant victory against misuse of public funds for political ends.

If ultimately approved, the budget for the Ministry for National Missions and Settlement, led by Minister Struck, would reach a record 821 million shekels this year, surpassing the budgets of 15 other ministries. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the coalition government, opposition, and judiciary over budgetary authority and procedural legitimacy ahead of upcoming elections.