Israeli Parliament Urges Supreme Court to Lift Freeze on Budget Transfers Approved by Finance Committee

The Israeli Knesset has submitted a response to the Supreme Court (Bagatz) requesting the dismissal of a petition challenging budget transfers approved by the Finance Committee on August 4, 2023. The Knesset argues that no procedural flaws occurred during the committee's convening that would justify judicial intervention in this internal parliamentary decision. It calls for the cancellation of the interim injunction that currently halts the transfer of funds.

The petition was filed by Hadash and MK Naama Lazimi (Labor), prompting the court to issue the interim order. The Knesset's position highlights that, as customary during election recesses, the Knesset Speaker has authority under Section 112(b) of the Knesset Rules of Procedure to convene committees when the Arrangements Committee declines to do so. This authority has been exercised in previous election periods, including during the 24th Knesset recess when budget transfer discussions were approved despite the Arrangements Committee's refusal.

The August 4 Finance Committee meeting approved budget transfers totaling 366 million shekels, primarily benefiting the Haredi and Religious Zionist communities. Allocations include 71 million shekels for recognized but unofficial education and national service, 69 million for Torah education linked to Shas and United Torah Judaism, 54 million for kindergarten education, and various other sums for Jewish culture, religious education administration, dropout prevention, at-risk youth, and summer school programs. Additional transfers of 125 million shekels to the Settlement Ministry and 78 million to the Ministry of Religious Services were later approved.

The transfers underwent full governmental procedures, including legal advisories, and complied with Finance Committee protocols. The Knesset asserts these transfers meet the necessary restrictions during election recesses.

The Local Government Center has petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the freeze, emphasizing the urgency of funding for summer school programs, development projects in the Negev and northern border communities, and Ashkelon's rehabilitation. Mira Solomon, head of legal and parliamentary affairs at the Center, stressed that delays could cause significant financial harm to local authorities, including unpaid wages for staff who operated summer schools in July 2023, and urged the court to resolve the matter promptly.