The battle over coalition funds: Will hundreds of millions of shekels be disqualified? | Ari Kalman

A confrontation at the Finance Ministry between Minister Smotrich and the legal counsel over coalition funds frozen by the High Court. Smotrich insists on approving all of them, while the legal counsel objects and seeks to approve only the essential ones. A decision is expected soon on 366 million shekels for Haredi education and settlements.

A confrontation at the Finance Ministry threatens to disqualify hundreds of millions of shekels from coalition funds frozen by the High Court. The battle between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the ministry's legal counsel erupted after the High Court this week sought to understand which funds are essential for approval and what can be disqualified. The state committed to submitting a list this week, but Smotrich insists that all funds are essential and must be approved, while the legal counsel insists on approving only the essential ones. Smotrich criticized the legal advisor and emphasized that he "insists on transferring the coalition money." A decision is expected soon regarding the transfer of 366 million shekels for Haredi education and settlements. The article reports on an internal confrontation at the Finance Ministry, using terms like "insists" and "confrontation" to describe the dispute, but does not take a clear stance for or against either side.