The High Court of Justice issued an interim order on Wednesday evening freezing a transfer of NIS 1 billion for haredi (ultra-Orthodox) education.
The decision follows a petition by opposition leader and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, together with party lawmakers Vladimir Beliak, Moshe Tur-Paz, and Naor Shiri, against budget transfers approved last week by the Knesset Finance Committee.
Earlier this week, Supreme Court Justice Yael Willner ordered the state to submit an immediate response, instructing it to explain the urgency of transferring the funds before the court had ruled on the claims raised. Willner also asked the state to address whether issuing an interim injunction would prevent the recovery of the funds, should the transfers later be found unlawful.
The petition sought an interim order freezing the transfers until a final decision could be issued.
According to the petitioners, the allocations were approved in violation of the law and through an improper procedure, and they are being transferred without sufficient oversight. They argue that the funds fall outside the regular budgetary framework and therefore require heightened scrutiny.
According to the petition, the Finance Committee approved the transfer of approximately NIS 1.09b. on December 25 through a series of budgetary reallocations benefiting haredi educational frameworks. These included networks affiliated with United Torah Judaism and Shas, as well as additional allocations to institutions classified as “recognized but unofficial,” exempt institutions, and other religious frameworks. Some of the funds were approved as coalition allocations and advanced through multiple budgetary channels.
The petitioners further argued that once transferred, the funds would be difficult – if not impossible – to recover, making an interim injunction necessary to preserve the court’s ability to grant effective relief.
Lapid has said that the cumulative amount exceeds NIS 1b. and is being advanced at a time of mounting economic pressure on the public, including rising living costs, strains on the healthcare system, and increased tax burdens.
In its submission to the court, the state said it would refrain from transferring the funds at this stage, effectively freezing the allocations until the High Court rules on the request for interim relief.
Increased pressure to regulate Haredi enlistment
The case comes amid intensified political and legal scrutiny of the haredi community’s status, particularly with regard to military service.
In recent months, the High Court has increased pressure on the government to advance legislation regulating the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men, following the expiration of previous arrangements and repeated rulings emphasizing the principle of equality in conscription.
Critics of the allocations argue that continued large-scale funding for haredi institutions is taking place in parallel with the absence of a legally valid framework governing exemptions from military service.
Supporters of the funding maintain that the allocations are necessary to sustain long-standing educational systems serving large segments of the population.
A decision on whether to issue an interim injunction is expected after the state submits its response.