Netanyahu’s Billion-Dollar Bribe: Perks for Ultra-Orthodox to Secure Political Power

Watan-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to consolidate his grip on power using public funds, offering bribes and various privileges to the ultra-Orthodox. Today, the Israeli 2025 budget is expected to be approved in its second and third readings, including 5 billion shekels (approximately $1.3 billion) for the governing coalition.

According to the financial news site Calcalist, Netanyahu has opened his wallet—primarily to the ultra-Orthodox and settlers—facing a looming March 31 deadline to pass the budget, beyond which the Knesset would be automatically dissolved.

To this end, Netanyahu held discussions today (Tuesday) with two prominent rabbis in the Haredi community: Moshe Hillel Hirsch, leader of the Lithuanian sector, and the Belz Rabbi. Netanyahu reportedly explained that once Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is dismissed, it would be possible to enact a law effectively permitting tax evasion—thus ensuring a continued flow of funding to the ultra-Orthodox, supporting their care centers, and financing religious and cultural services.

While the government is imposing widespread spending cuts that impact the general public due to budgetary shortfalls, the Knesset Finance Committee approved the budget today, which allocates 2.3 billion shekels directly to the ultra-Orthodox and settlers. Additionally, 2.7 billion shekels are “reserved” in the contingency section and other budget lines, which will be reallocated once the legal counsel confirms the process. (Exchange rate: 1 USD = 3.69 ILS)

This reallocation is expected to move quickly. By the end of this month, the Finance Ministry’s legal adviser will retire, and Baharav-Miara is on the path to dismissal—making it much easier for the government to channel coalition funds to the Haredi sectors without significant resistance.

Netanyahu’s Financial Support Package for the Ultra-Orthodox

The approved list includes dozens of budget items aimed at supporting the coalition and ultra-Orthodox parties. Among them:

• 2.4 billion shekels for Haredi education and religious schools, including 1.4 billion shekels for yeshiva budgets.

• 60 million shekels to fund foreign ultra-Orthodox students who come to study in Israel and avoid military service.

• 50 million shekels to extend the school day in recognized but unofficial Haredi institutions and exempt institutions.

• 28 million shekels to prevent dropout rates in religious schools.

• 70 million shekels for Haredi cultural institutions.

Coalition funding is also hidden under cultural and heritage budget lines.

Beyond direct education funding, 410 million shekels were allocated to “Jewish culture” initiatives across 8 government ministries, including Education, Culture, Settlement, Religious Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office, Jerusalem Affairs, Tradition, and Heritage.

Targeted Funds and Exemptions Deepen Netanyahu’s Support for Ultra-Orthodox

The Education Ministry will receive 17.5 million shekels for the Jewish Identity Authority, including 5 million shekels for program oversight. The Western Wall Tunnels Foundation will get 7 million shekels, and the Religious Services division within the Ministry of Religious Affairs will receive an additional 47 million shekels.

Fertility-related issues are also receiving unique funding:

• 7.8 million shekels for fertility treatments.

• 2.81 million shekels for family purity training.

• 21 million shekels for religious events in local councils.

Additionally, a new Food Security Authority under the Ministry of Social Affairs—established last week—will receive 277 million shekels to distribute food coupons, which may also be directed toward the Haredi population.

Netanyahu’s focus on the ultra-Orthodox isn’t limited to coalition funds. Following an initiative by Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee Chairman MK Yisrael Eichler, it was decided that public sector wage cuts will not apply to Haredi institutions, which are 40% funded by the state. This means the state will absorb 15 million shekels in savings that would otherwise be cut from ultra-Orthodox institutions.

As Calcalist summarizes: “In this way, Netanyahu secures his rule through coalition funds, promises of a tax evasion law, and heavy financial support for ultra-Orthodox institutions.”