In a significant legal move, the Supreme Court issued an order nisi and an interim order last Monday regarding a petition challenging the convening of the Finance Committee during the election recess. Judges David Mintz, Khaled Kabub, and Ruth Ronen ordered the state to explain why the transfer of approximately 409 million NIS in coalition funds, approved by the committee on August 4, should not be canceled. According to reports on the 'ICE' website, the petition was filed by Knesset Member Naama Lazimi and the Hiddush organization for Religious Freedom and Equality. The freeze affects the Ministry of Education, allocated approximately 286 million NIS, and the Ministry of Settlement, headed by Minister Orit Strock, allocated approximately 123 million NIS. The list of frozen budgets includes substantial sums earmarked, among other things, for recognized education networks in the Haredi sector, programs to prevent dropout from Yeshivas, increased subsidies for afternoon programs in the Haredi sector, and budgets intended for religious institutions in the Tekuma region of the Gaza Envelope. Additionally, the list includes freezes on budgets for exempt institutions, Haredi Jewish culture, and an aid fund for Yeshiva students.
In their decision, the judges distinguished between these funds and other urgent budgets approved at the same Finance Committee session. The Court granted the petitioners' request and ordered the immediate release of essential budgets, including reimbursements to local authorities for the 'School of the Summer Vacation' program, as well as funds intended for the rehabilitation of settlements in the north and south of the country. The state is required to submit a detailed affidavit in response by September 10.
Following the decision, Attorney Dr. Ifat Solel, Deputy CEO and Legal Counsel at Hiddush, expressed satisfaction, arguing that this constitutes a prevention of unlawful budget transfers alongside the approval of necessary funding. On behalf of MK Naama Lazimi, it was stated that this decision clarifies the need for accountability from the State and the Knesset. This is a legal development regarding the authority of Knesset committees to approve extensive budget transfers during recess periods and ahead of elections, an issue at the heart of judicial review of government actions. The High Court's decision emphasizes the delicate balance between maintaining the state's functional continuity and the need to prevent the allocation of controversial resources during periods when the legislature is pending dissolution or is in a prolonged recess.