Judge Alex Stein rejected a petition by the Hiddush NGO to halt the Knesset Finance Committee's session, scheduled for today. Hiddush argued the meeting was illegal, aimed at approving budget transfers to coalition-favored sectors during the election period. Stein ordered Hiddush to update the court by Wednesday on the committee's decisions, according to N12.
Jerusalem District Court Judge Alex Stein rejected a petition by the Hiddush NGO to block the Knesset Finance Committee from convening today (Tuesday). The court ruled the meeting could proceed, ordering Hiddush to report back by Wednesday on the committee's decisions. The ruling clears the way for the session to begin as scheduled.
The committee's agenda, as reported by The Zioneer on Sunday, includes budget transfers totaling hundreds of millions of shekels: NIS 268 million for Haredi education, NIS 124 million for the Ministry of Settlement, and NIS 78.5 million for the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Knesset Speaker used an unusual procedural provision to convene the committee during the recess without opposition consent. The opposition had announced it would petition the High Court of Justice, a step that was preempted by Hiddush's petition.
The controversy is part of a broader pattern of coalition budget moves during the election period. The Zioneer has previously reported on related disputes, including a High Court petition against Haredi budget transfers in July and internal Likud party conflicts over committee procedures.
The committee's decisions remain pending, and the opposition is expected to challenge any transfers approved. The court has given Hiddush until Wednesday to update on the meeting's outcomes.
3 developments
- StrongKnesset budget session stalled as Haredi parties boycott Finance Committee hearing
- DevelopingFinance Committee to meet Wednesday for additional Haredi budget transfers, N12 reports
- StrongLikud party court rejects Haim Katz's request to reconvene Constitution Committee for second time
- DevelopingKnesset Finance Committee postpones approval of tax benefits for 247 associations amid Haredi opposition
Source and signal
- Open-source intake