Israel’s Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily blocked the transfer of approximately NIS 250 million in funding designated for Chareidi educational institutions and related programs, issuing an interim order that halts the allocations until the court hears a legal challenge to the approval process.

The temporary injunction came one day after the Knesset Finance Committee approved the budget transfers. The petition filed with the court argues that the committee’s deliberations were marred by procedural deficiencies.

In his ruling, Justice Alex Stein wrote that, due to the alleged flaws surrounding the Finance Committee’s proceedings, implementation of all budget transfers approved during Tuesday’s session should be suspended. The only exception is funding allocated for civilian emergency needs, which may proceed.

Justice Stein also directed that the petition be scheduled for an expedited hearing before a three-justice panel. He instructed the respondents to submit preliminary responses to both the petition and the request for a temporary injunction within 48 hours after the hearing date is established.

Until the court issues a final decision, the approved funding will remain frozen.

On Tuesday, following lengthy deliberations, the Finance Committee approved a package of budget transfers totaling roughly NIS 250 million. The funding was designated for a broad range of Chinuch and social welfare initiatives serving the Chareidi community and was intended to address longstanding funding disparities.

Among the largest allocations is a substantial increase in funding for preschool and kindergarten teachers in the Chareidi school system. For the first time, these moros will receive full government funding that reflects their years of teaching experience.

The approved package also includes funding for student transportation in the Chinuch Atzmai and Bnei Yosef school networks, along with subsidies for after-school programs in exempt (mosdos p’tur) and recognized-but-unofficial (mukar she’eino rasmi) educational institutions.

Additional allocations include support for Jewish cultural programming, educational and therapeutic services for at-risk and disengaged youth, assistance for teacher training in Chareidi high schools and post-high school educational programs, as well as funding for a variety of other initiatives aimed at strengthening Torah institutions and the broader Chareidi educational system.