MKs claim amended budget perpetuates ‘injustice’ against Haredi education institutions

Labor and Welfare Committee chairman Yisrael Eichler criticizes the amended 2024 budget during a debate in the Knesset while also expressing disapproval of what he calls “an aggressive media campaign” against allocations for ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, education.

There are “teachers in Haredi education who do the same job as any other teacher” but do not receive funding under the government’s Ofek Hadash (New Horizon) plan “just because they are Haredi,” he claims, calling the disparity “a matter of plunder, usurpation and injustice” against Haredim.

The new budget allocates billions of shekels in funding for ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, educational institutions that fail to teach the state-mandated core curriculum but does not include them in the New Horizon program.

The Haredim have long sought to become part of the program, which funds work in small groups between teachers and pupils and bumps up teacher salaries, among other initiatives.

However, the program is currently restricted to state schools and not does not apply to independent Haredi schools, which do not teach secular subjects.

The government and the Knesset “need to decide not to discriminate against children in Haredi education,” he says.

Finance Committee chairman Moshe Gafni (UTJ) also frames the contentious budget as an effort to secure equality between Haredi and secular schools.

“If you don’t want Haredi education, say so. But there is Haredi education in the law. The ministries of Education, Justice and Finance are breaking the law. Let everyone know that an injustice has been done here and I will continue to fight for [Haredi teachers] to receive equal pay for equal work,” he declares.

Lawmakers are currently at the beginning of a 25-hour debate ahead of a vote of the proposed amended 2024 wartime budget set for Wednesday at noon.