The Shas faction on Wednesday sharply criticized Judge Alex Stein's decision to freeze budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee, alleging that the High Court of Justice has become a 'branch of the opposition,' according to N12.
The Shas faction on Wednesday sharply criticized High Court Judge Alex Stein's decision to freeze budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee, accusing the High Court of Justice of becoming a 'branch of the opposition,' according to N12. The attack, reported by Israeli media, came hours after the court issued its freeze order, marking the latest escalation in coalition criticism of the judiciary over the budget transfers.
Judge Stein issued an interim order at 12:12 Jerusalem freezing the budget transfers approved by the Finance Committee on Tuesday, citing procedural flaws, as The Zioneer reported. Subsequent reports at 12:12 clarified that the freeze applies to coalition funds for Haredi parties, the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, and Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The Haredi parties' election campaign thanked the court for the decision. The thread shows initial reporting centered on the freeze order, then expanded to include the specific allocations and the campaign's reaction.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz accused the High Court of 'unrestrained rampage' over the budget transfers (Wed 13:07 Jerusalem). The Finance Committee chair said the court 'has no remedy' and should be closed (Wed 12:23 Jerusalem). Opposition MKs had previously demanded the Knesset legal advisor cancel the vote (Mon Jul 13), and Judge Stein had rejected a petition by the Hiddush NGO to block the committee meeting (Tue Aug 4).
The budget transfers remain frozen pending further court proceedings. The coalition's response, including potential legislative steps, has not yet been detailed.
7 developments
- StrongCoalition Chairman Ofir Katz: High Court in 'unrestrained rampage' over budget transfers
- DevelopingMK Lazimi welcomes High Court decision to delay budget transfers, calls it 'important achievement'
- DevelopingFinance Committee chair says High Court 'has no remedy', should be closed
- StrongJudge rejects Hiddush petition to block Knesset Finance Committee budget meeting
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