Rift Over Ultra-Orthodox Education Funding Deepens Woes for Israeli Coalition

By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM – The ultra-Orthodox parties in Israel are creating fresh tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as they clash with coalition partners over education funding. This disagreement follows ongoing disputes regarding the drafting of young religious men into the military.

The current contention revolves around an ultra-Orthodox initiative to ensure that their distinct schools receive the same benefits as state institutions, particularly the “New Horizon” program, which extends school hours and substantially increases teacher salaries.

"For a year, we have been advocating for the inclusion of ‘New Horizon’ in ultra-Orthodox institutions. There is no justification for our educators to be treated unequally," stated Haim Biton, the ultra-Orthodox Education Minister.

Biton, a member of Shas, one of the two ultra-Orthodox parties within the right-wing coalition, emphasized that they do not intend to leave the government over this issue. However, the other ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), has informed the coalition whip that it will boycott parliamentary votes until the funding concern is addressed.

Coalition whip Ophir Katz is striving to prevent a crisis ahead of a vote on a significant budget increase meant to support tens of thousands of Israelis who have been displaced by rocket attacks from Lebanon.

This latest disagreement underscores the ongoing strains within Netanyahu’s fragmented coalition, which has been mired in turmoil for nearly two years due to various crises, including widespread protests against judicial reforms and the ongoing conflict with Gaza.

Netanyahu, who leads a coalition that includes a number of religious and nationalist parties, has managed to maintain control of 64 out of 120 parliamentary seats. However, relations among ministers have often been tense. Far-right factions, spearheaded by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have repeatedly challenged the coalition on multiple fronts, including how to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

While the ultra-Orthodox parties have been less vocal regarding the war, they have persistently advocated for benefits for their Haredi community, which makes up approximately 13% of the population. Tensions have particularly escalated following the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke a longstanding exemption from military service for Haredi men, further complicating the discussion around the education budget.

"The Haredi parties believe that the far-right has managed to secure all its demands from the government, while they feel overlooked and sidelined," noted Gilad Malach, director of the Israel Democracy Institute’s ultra-Orthodox program.

With Netanyahu’s government potentially facing electoral repercussions over security lapses that contributed to the recent Hamas attack from Gaza, no parties appear eager to withdraw from the coalition at this time. Nonetheless, these underlying tensions may signal challenges ahead. Malach remarked, "This could initiate a process that none of the parties currently desire, but which could ultimately emerge as a consequence."