The Israeli Supreme Court blocked the coalition government's pre-election attempt to channel resources to its allies. The court froze the transfer of millions of shekels in funds approved by the Knesset Finance Committee to the settlement ministry and ultra-Orthodox Haredi institutions.
According to the Israel Broadcasting Corporation, the court ordered the transfers halted until an appeal on the matter is decided.
Controversial pre-election transfers
The Knesset Finance Committee had approved the transfer of millions of shekels to Haredi institutions and the ministry headed by far-right Settlement Minister Orit Strock a few days ago with coalition support. According to the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, the transfers included payments from coalition funds to religious schools and institutes, as well as large allocations to the Settlement Ministry.
The opposition accused the government of trying to funnel money to its political allies ahead of the general elections on October 27. The newspaper noted that the Finance Committee approved these transfers during the parliamentary recess, after Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana convened a committee meeting using a rarely exercised authority.
Fierce coalition backlash
The court's decision sparked anger within the coalition. Finance Committee Chairman Hanoch Milbitsky called for the Supreme Court to be "shut down" and replaced with a constitutional court. The Shas party accused the court of "becoming an arm of the opposition," arguing that it "interferes with democracy and the will of the legislature."
Tensions over Haredi military exemption persist
This development came after the Supreme Court froze a law a week ago that canceled prosecutions against Haredim who evade military service. According to the Israel Broadcasting Corporation, the escalating dispute between the judiciary and the government over the privileges of this sector continues.
The Haredi parties and the Religious Zionism party, which holds the Settlement Ministry, are among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's most important allies. Netanyahu views the October 27 elections as critical to his remaining in power.
The vast majority of Haredim, who make up about 13 percent of Israel's population, are exempted from military service on the grounds that they focus on religious studies. This situation is causing a deep division within Israel, especially as the war in Gaza and tensions on other fronts continue.
For decades, members of this community received repeated military service deferments until age 26 on the grounds that they were studying in religious schools. In June 2024, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that mandated Haredi military service and stipulated cutting financial support to religious institutions whose students refuse to enlist.
