High Court Temporarily Freezes Haredi Education and Settlement Ministry Transfers

Justice Alex Stein issued a temporary order freezing nearly all budget transfers approved Tuesday by the Knesset Finance Committee, including funds for Haredi institutions and the Ministry of Settlements and National Missions. The order exempts a transfer for civilian emergency expenses. Stein cited apparent procedural flaws in the committee hearing and said the petition would be heard by a three-justice panel as soon as possible. The Knesset, Finance Committee and Finance Ministry must file preliminary responses no later than 48 hours before the hearing. Finance Committee chairman Hanoch Milwidsky criticized the intervention and called for a constitutional court.