High Court freezes Finance Committee budget transfers over procedural flaws

The High Court of Justice on Wednesday temporarily froze nearly all budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee, citing procedural flaws in its election-recess meeting. Justice Alex Stein's order blocks the implementation of approximately NIS 1 billion in allocations, including NIS 270 million for haredi education, though it exempts funding for civilian emergency expenses. The court has not ruled on the legality of the transfers themselves. The petition, filed by the Hiddush religious-freedom organization and MK Naama Lazimi, will be heard by a three-justice panel, with respondents ordered to submit preliminary responses.