In the wake of efforts by Rabbi Moshe Gafni, Rabbi Meir
Porush and Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, the UTJ representatives in
the Knesset Finance Committee, the Finance Ministry has
approved allocation money for of an additional 47 classrooms
for the chareidi sector for the year 2000. This brings to 286
the number of new, approved classrooms, as originally
agreed.
Two weeks ago, the Knesset Finance Committee was asked to
transfer NIS 78 million to the Education Ministry for
renovation and expansion of the country's schools. The UTJ
MKs firmly opposed this request and blocked its approval,
claiming that the promise to approve 286 new classrooms for
the chareidi sector in the year 2000 had not been completely
implemented, since only 239 classrooms had been approved.
"Until the remaining 47 classrooms are approved as promised,"
the chareidi Knesset members said, "we will not sanction
approval of the request to transfer the budget to the
Education Ministry."
Chairman of the Finance Committee Eli Goldschmidt (One
Israel) was sympathetic to the demands of the three Knesset
members and agreed that the original obligation should be
honored. He made it clear to the Finance and Education
Ministries that until the funds for 47 more new classrooms
are found, the request to transfer the other NIS 78 million
will not be approved.
Last week, the Finance Committee received a statement from
the Finance Ministry Comptroller approving the allocation of
funds for 47 classrooms for the chareidi sector in accordance
with its obligation. As a result, within the coming days, the
request to transfer the 78 million NIS will be approved.
