From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Government OKs over NIS 5 billion to fund Haredi education, settlements and more
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approves the inclusion of over NIS 5 billion ($1.6 billion) in discretionary coalition funds for Haredi institutions, West Bank settlements and other party priorities in the 2026 state budget, which must be passed in the coming weeks.
Coalition funds are money allocated in the budget-planning process based on agreements struck between the parties during coalition negotiations at the formation of the government.
According to Channel 12, the funds, whose approval was opposed by Finance Ministry officials, include NIS 1.6 billion ($518 million) for ultra-Orthodox educational institutions and a further NIS 77 million ($24.9 million) for Haredi cultural activities.
The outlet says the Finance Ministry opposed the allocation of the funds.
The money for Haredi education is an attempt to compensate for the some NIS 1 billion ($314 million) in funding recently held up by the High Court of Justice, the Calcalist financial news site reports.
According to Channel 12, the funds include NIS 400 million ($129.5) for the Settlements and National Missions Ministry, which supports right-wing and religious activities, including NIS 138 million ($44.7 million) for West Bank settlements.
Calcalist reports that NIS 49 million ($15.8 million) will go toward programs aimed at preventing youths, some of whom are viewed as at-risk of substance abuse or crime, from dropping out of yeshivas or leaving the ultra-Orthodox community. The 2025 state budget included NIS 28 million ($7.7 million) for the same purpose.
The Times of Israel Community.