Finance Committee Approves Controversial NIS 1.19 Billion Transfer Surplus of P.M's office

In a contentious session on Tuesday, Israel's Finance Committee greenlit the transfer of approximately NIS 1.19 billion from the Prime Minister's Office surplus for fiscal year 2023 to be used in fiscal year 2024. Among these funds, about NIS 750 million were earmarked as coalition funds and allocations for unnecessary offices.

During the session, representatives from the Ministry of Finance and various ministries defended the transfers, citing commitments made in 2023 that were not fulfilled due to pending legal advice on allocation criteria. Critics, including opposition members, highlighted the timing of the transfer amidst a significant state budget deficit exacerbated by increased spending on war and reconstruction efforts.

Opposition Voices Concern 
Opposition MKs, notably from Yesh Atid and Labor parties, voiced strong objections. MK Vladimir Belyak criticized allocations to the Ministry of Settlement, claiming discrepancies in fund usage versus stated purposes. Similarly, MK Naama Lazimi criticized what she called "scandalous transfers" benefiting coalition needs over promised public programs in tourism, industry, and agriculture.

Debate Highlights Government's Priorities
The debate underscored deep divisions over the government's fiscal priorities, with accusations of favoritism towards coalition partners overshadowing broader public needs. MK Hamed Amar raised questions about NIS 59 million allocated for polls in the Prime Minister's Office, seeking assurance that they were not for political purposes, receiving a negative response.

Approval Amidst Opposition Scrutiny
Despite opposition challenges and calls for transparency, the coalition-majority Finance Committee approved the fund transfers. The decision reflects ongoing tensions over fiscal management and allocation transparency within the Israeli government.