Knesset Asks Court to Lift Budget Freeze After Petitioners Seek Partial Relief

The Knesset asked the High Court on Monday to dismiss a petition challenging coalition-fund transfers and to lift the remaining freeze. Hiddush and Democrats MK Naama Lazimi had sought urgent transfers for local authorities and communities in northern and southern Israel while leaving disputed coalition and sectoral funds blocked. The Knesset argued that this distinction undermines the claim that the entire August 4 Finance Committee session was unlawful. Justice Alex Stein’s temporary order already excluded civil-emergency spending, and the court has released NIS 78 million for Religious Services while Education and National Missions transfers await further action.