Knesset Urges Supreme Court to Reject Petition Against Budget Transfers to Ultra-Orthodox Sector

The Knesset has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss a petition and interim injunction concerning budget transfers approved by the Finance Committee on August 14. In its response, the Knesset argued that the committee's convening process was proper and did not warrant judicial intervention in what is an internal parliamentary decision. The Knesset noted that during election recesses, when the Arrangements Committee does not approve convening a committee, the Knesset Speaker may authorize it in special cases under Section 112(b) of the Knesset Rules of Procedure.

The Knesset recalled that during the 24th Knesset election recess, the Speaker approved three discussions on budget transfers, including coalition transfers, after the Arrangements Committee declined to convene the committee. In the current case, the Speaker approved the August 4 discussion on six budget transfers after receiving government input on their importance and urgency, including for the school year opening, salary payments, and supplier fees, as well as the Knesset legal advisor’s opinion on six of the original 13 requested transfers.

The Knesset emphasized that similar approvals have been granted in past election recesses and that this is an internal parliamentary matter unsuitable for court intervention. It added that the transfers underwent full governmental procedures, including approval by the Government Legal Advisor, and complied with Finance Committee rules on budget transfers. Therefore, the Knesset argued there is a presumption that the transfers meet the required governmental restraint rules during election recesses. The Supreme Court hearing on the transfers is scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday.