State Budget Set to Increase Spending on Haredi Education by NIS 1 Billion
Despite failing to teach secular studies in accordance with the law, ultra-Orthodox schools are set to receive nearly a billion shekels ($322 million) in additional funding in the 2026 state budget currently being advanced in the Knesset. The increases include a jump from NIS 1.64 billion ($529 million) in 2025 to NIS 2.1 billion ($678 million) for United Torah Judaism’s Independent Network, and from NIS 863 million ($278 million) to NIS 1.23 billion ($397 million) for Shas’s Maayan Hachinuch Hatorani school network.
The opposition party Yesh Atid recently petitioned the High Court of Justice to halt the transfer of some NIS 1 billion to ultra-Orthodox schools from the remainder of the 2025 budget. MK Vladimir Beliak stated, “It is clear that every day we know more and more details about the fact that there are practically no core studies in private Haredi education, and certainly among boys. There are no teachers, no syllabus, there is really no infrastructure.” He promised to raise questions and demand legal opinions when the numbers come before the Finance Committee.
Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni responded by accusing the court of bias against the Haredi community, arguing that the majority of students in the school networks—most of whom are girls—study all subjects and excel in exams. The increased budget is partly a function of changing budgeting methods, with Haredi schools now receiving the bulk of their funding upfront instead of being supplemented at year’s end. (TOI/VFI News)
“Dear God, we pray for wisdom for the leaders of Israel as they make decisions about the education of the nation’s children. We ask that every child in Israel—regardless of community—receive an education that equips them to thrive and contribute to society. We pray that You guide lawmakers, educators, and families toward decisions that honor You and build up the nation. May the children of Israel grow in knowledge, skill, and love for one another. In Yeshua’s Name we pray.”