Finance Committee Approves Tax Breaks for Hundreds of Nonprofits Amid Haredi Opposition

The Knesset Finance Committee approved tax benefits for hundreds of social nonprofits on Wednesday, following a heated debate. The approval passed despite strong opposition from Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) members of Knesset, who protested the exclusion of Haredi nonprofits from the list of beneficiaries. This exclusion was based on a directive from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who recommended withholding benefits from organizations linked to yeshivas whose students are designated for military service.

MK Moshe Gafni fiercely criticized the Attorney General's directive, stating, "The Tax Authority brings the lists of organizations entitled by law, the Attorney General gave a sweeping instruction to remove everything called a yeshiva, without checking. The Attorney General came like an emperor." Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz supported the criticism, accusing the Attorney General of "persecuting the right and the Haredim specifically." However, Katz urged the approval of the lists to ensure that nonprofits aiding bereaved families and IDF casualties would not be harmed.

Committee Chairman MK Hanoch Milvitzky added that the issue could have been resolved earlier, but the Attorney General's office did not approve it without justification. Opposition members, meanwhile, attacked the Haredi MKs, with MK Naor Shiri accusing them of holding nonprofits hostage and MK Orit Farkash Hacohen questioning if disqualifying organizations based on a cross-reference with draft dodgers was insufficient.

Ultimately, after intense exchanges, the lists of nonprofits eligible for tax benefits were approved. The Haredi MKs voted against the measure. At MK Gafni's request, one nonprofit alleged to be involved in missionary activities was removed from the lists.