"The looting continues": Coalition plans 100 million shekel transfer to religious services
The Knesset Finance Committee is set to discuss a 100 million shekel transfer to the Ministry of Religious Services. Opposition coordinator MK Vladimir Beliak has strongly criticized the move.
The Knesset Finance Committee is expected to convene this week to approve a budget transfer of approximately 100 million shekels to the Ministry of Religious Services. According to the request submitted to the committee, the funds are intended to support rabbis in the settlements and Kessim (spiritual leaders of the Ethiopian community), fund the Center for Holy Places, develop cemeteries, reimburse expenses for Operation "Lion's Roar," and implement Government Decision 4320.
The distribution includes:
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8.5 million shekels to religious councils for religious officials' salaries.
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26.8 million shekels for religious services.
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24.9 million shekels for cemetery development (7.4 million in net expenditures and 17.5 million in authorization to commit).
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17.3 million shekels for ministry operations and salaries, including a personnel position transferred from the Prime Minister's Office.
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18 million shekels for the Rabbinical Courts.
In the request prepared by Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, it is noted that the budget is also intended to strengthen financial oversight of religious councils via external auditors, develop computer systems for burial societies (Chevra Kadisha), and address various budget adjustments.
The opposition has attacked the move. Opposition coordinator in the Finance Committee, MK Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid), stated:
"A moment before they go home, the Netanyahu-Haredi coalition refuses to stop the looting. Tonight, another budget request with authorization to commit was placed on the Finance Committee's table for the Ministry of Religious Services. Deri and Gafni truly do not know satiety."
