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Knesset Finance Committee

Knesset Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a committee hearing, August 4, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 5, 2026, 5:32 pm
High Court freezes contentious Knesset funds for Haredi schools, Settlements Ministry
Justice Stein issues order due to ‘apparent procedural flaws’ in convening Finance Committee; coalition accuses court of hypocrisy, says similar funds allocated by last government
By Jeremy Sharon
Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky, right, speaks with MKs Moshe Gafni, center, and Yitzhak Pindrus during a Knesset Finance Committee meeting in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026, at which additional funding was approved for Haredi education. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 4, 2026, 5:30 pm
Coalition secures extra $82.6m for ultra-Orthodox education; opposition alleges ‘theft’
Finance Committee later gives Settlements Ministry nearly $100m in funding and commitment authoritizations, after heated debate during Knesset recess
By Sam Sokol
File: Ultra-Orthodox children on the first day of school in Neve Yaakov in Jerusalem, August 9, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/File)
August 3, 2026, 6:42 pm
State reportedly not cutting funds to Haredi schools that fail to teach core subjects
Despite parliamentary recess, Knesset Finance Committee to meet on Tuesday to approve hundreds of millions of additional taxpayer shekels for ultra-Orthodox education
By Sam Sokol
Illustrative: A Haredi school in the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Beitar Illit, August 27, 2014. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
July 30, 2026, 6:13 am
Opposition blocks transfer of NIS 392 million in coalition funds for Haredi schools, settlements
Funding now highly unlikely to be approved before the Oct. 27 election, as the opposition must consent to any further consideration of the matter while parliament in recess
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (foreground) walks past ultra-Orthodox MKs as the Knesset prepares to pass a law banning the arrests of draft dodgers that will effectively freeze ultra-Orthodox enlistment into the IDF for at least the next seven months, July 14, 2026. Netanyahu left the chamber before the vote itself. At center, with hands around his mouth, is UTJ MK Meir Porush. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 14, 2026, 8:28 pm
Knesset passes law banning arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, legitimizing ongoing mass non-enlistment
Petitions against law filed to High Court; deputy minister quits in protest; Netanyahu skips vote, is denounced as ‘traitor’ by opposition MK; all ultra-Orthodox MKs proudly acknowledge they have relatives who could benefit from the law
By Ariela Karmel, Jeremy Sharon and Charlie Summers
MK Moshe Gafni attends Finance committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, April 29, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 9, 2026, 10:37 pm
Finance Committee moves to restore daycare subsidies for ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers
New bill would only consider the employment status of a child’s mother, no longer examine the father’s eligibility for conscription; Finance, Justice ministries oppose legislation
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Illustrative: A Haredi school in the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Beitar Illit, August 27, 2014. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
April 15, 2026, 12:56 am
Knesset finance panel approves nearly NIS 100m in additional funds for Haredi schools
Yesh Atid accuses ‘draft dodgers and the corrupt’ of prioritizing schools that don’t teach core curriculum, while ultra-Orthodox MK claims the community has the best schools
By Sam Sokol
Knesset Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, March 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 16, 2026, 3:15 am
Knesset advances bill to grant R&D tax credit in bid to keep tech firms in Israel
Legislation, proposed by Finance Ministry to help offset OECD-brokered tax hike amid brain drain concerns, will let tech firms keep a larger share of their income
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Finance Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 17, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 17, 2026, 2:07 pm
Smotrich to Arab MKs: It’s not the government’s fault ‘you murder one another’
‘Educate your public to stop murdering,’ far-right minister says; opposition lawmakers accuse him of racism, rail at government for failing to curb violent crime
By Sam Sokol and Charlie Summers
The High Court of Justice holds a hearing in Jerusalem on a petition against the Knesset Finance Committee’s decision to transfer funds to ultra-Orthodox schools that don't teach core subjects, January 8, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 11, 2026, 8:25 pm
High Court orders state to disclose ultra-Orthodox school curriculum and oversight
Knesset legal adviser demands Finance Ministry provide details on illegal practice of transferring funds prior to approval by Knesset panel
By Ariela Karmel
The High Court of Justice holds a hearing in Jerusalem on a petition against the Knesset Finance Committee’s decision to transfer funds to ultra-Orthodox schools that don't teach core subjects, January 8, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 8, 2026, 4:46 pm
‘It was a ruse’: High Court judge rails at transfer of funds to Haredi schools
At hearing on petitions against payment of NIS 1 billion to ultra-Orthodox institutions, judges slam ‘illegal’ release of cash before oversight committee gave required okay
By Jeremy Sharon, Stuart Winer and ToI Staff
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a Religious Zionism faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, January 5, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 7, 2026, 5:01 pm
In rare move, Knesset panel moves to overturn Smotrich’s $150 VAT exemption order
Likud elements led by Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky argue that doubling VAT exemption on personal imports from $75 penalizes local businesses
By Ariela Karmel
Supreme Court Justice Yael Willner at a court hearing on who will have authority over the Sde Teiman leak probe, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, November 11, 2025.(Yonatan SIndel/Flash90)
December 31, 2025, 9:30 pm
High Court halts transfer of NIS 1 billion to Haredi schools as it reviews case
Petitioners accuse government of breaking law by funding institutions allegedly not teaching core subjects; ultra-Orthodox leaders rail against ‘antisemitic’ court
By Jeremy Sharon, Ariela Karmel, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Ultra-Orthodox children dressed up in costumes at their cheder in Jerusalem, several days before the Jewish holiday of Purim, March 5, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 30, 2025, 11:06 pm
Lapid petitions High Court to halt billion-shekel transfer to ultra-Orthodox schools
Court gives government until Wednesday morning to respond; ‘We will not allow Israel’s ultra-Orthodox children to be turned into second-class citizens,’ says UTJ chairman Goldknopf
By Sam Sokol
MK Hanoch Milwidsky (second right) chairing a Knesset Finance committee session, December 25, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 29, 2025, 11:36 pm
Knesset legal adviser accuses committee chair of misconduct, pushing votes without debate
MK Milwidsky faces widespread condemnation for attacking Finance Committee counsel, barring opposition MK, amid effort to pass controversial budget transfers
By Ariela Karmel
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