The High Court of Justice has temporarily frozen nearly all budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee during an election-recess meeting, allowing only civilian emergency funding to proceed. Justice Alex Stein ordered the matter fast-tracked to a three-justice panel and required key officials to submit preliminary responses. Petitioners led by Hiddush and MK Naama Lazimi say the recess meeting was procedurally defective and intended to channel funds to allied sectors; the court has not yet ruled on those substantive allegations.
High Court Halts Nearly NIS 1 Billion in Knesset Finance Committee Transfers Over Procedural Flaws
The nine-member panel at the High Court of Justice looks on as the hearing opens in Jerusalem. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The High Court of Justice on Wednesday issued a temporary injunction blocking nearly all budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee during an election-recess session, citing apparent procedural defects. Justice Alex Stein allowed only one allocation tied to civilian emergency expenses to proceed while pausing the rest.
Court Orders Fast-Track Review
Justice Stein directed that the petition be expedited to a three-justice panel and ordered Finance Committee chairman Hanoch Milwidsky, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and the Finance Ministry to submit preliminary responses before the expedited hearing. The court has not yet ruled on the petition's substantive claims.
What Was Approved
During a lengthy and contentious session on Tuesday, the committee approved roughly NIS 1 billion in transfers across the Education Ministry, the National Missions Ministry and the Religious Services Ministry. Reports indicate approximately NIS 270 million of that total was earmarked for haredi education.
The High Court of Justice in Jerusalem (credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/ISRAEL HAYOM/POOL)
Dispute Over Recess Procedure
Speaker Ohana authorized the Finance Committee to meet during the Knesset recess despite there being no recorded agreement from the Knesset Coordination Committee, which is normally required for such sessions. Opposition MKs argued that the committee had already used the single recess meeting it was permitted to hold when it met on July 29, and therefore lacked authority to convene again.
Who Filed the Petition
The petition was filed by Hiddush - Freedom of Religion for Israel and Democrats MK Naama Lazimi after Chairman Milwidsky declined to cancel the meeting in response to a warning letter. Petitioners say multiple budget items were not discussed before the Knesset entered recess and accused the outgoing coalition of attempting to steer public funds to politically allied sectors shortly before the election. Those factual allegations remain under judicial review.
Naama Lazimi said, We warned in advance that we would not allow a daylight robbery of public funds, calling the ruling an important check on last-minute maneuvers. Democrats chairman Yair Golan described the injunction as a victory for the public, while Hiddush legal adviser Dr. Yifat Sollel accused the coalition of using the recess meeting to advance partisan interests. By contrast, Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni welcomed the allocations as necessary support for haredi education during financial hardship.
Context And Precedent
The dispute echoes a previous High Court case over a NIS 1.08 billion education transfer approved in December, in which it emerged that roughly NIS 400 million had been distributed before the committee vote. The court sharply criticized that practice, and the Knesset legal department later warned that seeking approval after funds have been disbursed undermines parliamentary oversight and is unlawful.
The High Court's injunction will remain in place while the matter is fast-tracked. The court has yet to decide whether the meeting itself was lawful or whether the challenged transfers served partisan ends.
Help us improve.
