Story perspectives

Israeli Court Freezes Haredi School Funding, Approves 670 M Emergency Aid

8/5/2026

Summary

Court Freezes Funds

The Israeli High Court of Justice froze millions of shekels earmarked for Haredi schools, the Settlement Ministry and the Religious Services Ministry because of procedural flaws.
The court allowed about 670 million shekels for civilian emergency expenses to proceed.
The Finance Committee approved roughly 306 million shekels for Haredi education and about 125 million shekels and 132 million shekels for Minister Orit Strock’s National Missions and Settlement Ministry.

Summary

Ohana Convenes Finance

Amir Ohana invoked clause 112 “b” to convene the Finance Committee during the election recess.
Legal adviser Sagit Afik limited the agenda before opening it after coalition pressure.
Opposition MK Naama Lazimi and Hiddush petitioned Justice Alex Stein, who set a 9 a.m. Wednesday deadline for committee report.
Hanokh Melitsky said activists who stormed the hall and were expelled were “worse than terrorists” after a filibuster broke the 10-hour recess limit.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s Tal Law, passed by the Knesset on 23 July 2002, granted yeshiva students exemption from military service and was set to expire after five years. The Israeli Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional on 21 February 2012, prompting the short-lived Plesner Committee’s 2012 report. Today’s Finance Committee clash echoes that earlier legal-political battle.

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Court Freezes Funds

The Israeli High Court of Justice froze millions of shekels earmarked for Haredi schools, the Settlement Ministry and the Religious Services Ministry because of procedural flaws.
The court allowed about 670 million shekels for civilian emergency expenses to proceed.
The Finance Committee approved roughly 306 million shekels for Haredi education and about 125 million shekels and 132 million shekels for Minister Orit Strock’s National Missions and Settlement Ministry.

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