Not Just for Education: Tens of Millions Diverted to Political Purposes

The Knesset Finance Committee will convene today to approve the transfer of 523 million shekels to the Education Ministry ahead of the new school year, but more than 10% of the funds are earmarked for coalition-driven allocations.

Among the beneficiaries: ultra-Orthodox education networks. The Independent Education System will receive 10 million shekels for aides’ salaries, teacher and student transportation, and other expenses. Shas’s Ma’ayan HaChinuch HaTorani network will get an additional 10 million for teaching hours, assistants, administrative staff, and transportation. Coalition members claim these grants preserve parity with state-funded elementary schools, though oversight will be handled by the ministry’s Haredi district.

A particularly notable allocation unrelated to education is a 41 million shekel budget for the Western Wall tunnels, not for routine maintenance, but for infrastructure upgrades and boosting tourism. Additional funds will cover auxiliary staff for the kindergarten security camera program, as well as salaries and maintenance for kindergartens.

These allocations will be drawn from the Finance Ministry’s reserves, funds originally intended to cover wartime expenses.

Opposition MK Meirav Cohen sharply criticized the move:

“In the midst of a war and massive plans to occupy Gaza, the government is diverting tens of millions more to ultra-Orthodox sectoral goals, to education systems controlled by political parties to ensure graduates avoid military service and the workforce. Public money should serve all Israeli citizens, not buy coalition silence. This is not social policy; it’s politics at the expense of our collective future.”

Despite past instances when Haredi parties left the coalition, their agreements have continued to funnel funds into their school systems, many of which exclude core curriculum studies and operate with minimal state oversight.