Israeli Government Seeks Last-Minute Transfer of Nearly NIS 535 Million to West Bank Settlements and Orit Strook's Ministry

Just before the Knesset's dissolution, Israel's Ministry of Finance submitted a request to the Finance Committee to transfer approximately NIS 535 million to West Bank settlements, the Ministry of Settlement led by Minister Orit Strook (Religious Zionism), and various Jewish settlement and cultural organizations. About NIS 300 million of this sum is allocated for security needs in Judea and Samaria. Additionally, around NIS 115 million is requested for contracts between the Ministry of Settlement and the Settlement Division.

The Finance Ministry also seeks approval for coalition fund transfers, including roughly NIS 39 million for the Settlement Division's activities, NIS 6 million to assist local authorities in maintaining Area C in Judea and Samaria, NIS 14 million for Jewish studies and Land of Israel seminaries, NIS 15 million for educational centers within the Ministry of Settlement, NIS 29 million for Jewish cultural associations, and NIS 14 million for Jewish cultural activities in local authorities in Judea and Samaria.

Finance Committee member MK Shirly Naor (Yesh Atid) criticized the move, calling it "the last hours of looting," and accused the government of favoring their close associates while neglecting the public interest. She vowed to rectify what she termed "public plundering."