Cabinet to allocate more funds to haredi schools, settlements

According to the explanation in the resolution, the worsening security situation had an influence on life in the settlements in a number of areas.

By HERB KEINON
Updated: JUNE 19, 2016 02:46
Israel's 34th government (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Israel's 34th government
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The government on Sunday is expected to approve the allocation of an additional NIS 115 million for haredi educational institutions as fulfillment of the 2015 coalition agreement, and an addition NIS 60m. to settlements because of the worsening security situation in Judea and Samaria.
The additional funds, when approved, will bring the level of state funding for Torah institutions for 2016 to nearly NIS 1.2 billion.
In addition, the government will allocate NIS 60m. to Israeli communities in the West Bank, that will include NIS 15m. from the Interior Ministry, NIS 10m. from the Agriculture Ministry, NIS 12m. from the Health Ministry, and NIS 6m. from the Welfare and Social Services Ministry. The remainder of the sum will be provided by various other ministries.
According to the resolution to be brought to the cabinet, the NIS 12m. from the Health Ministry will be spent on creating centers to provide psychological support centers in the settlements.
“Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria face a unique security situation on a daily basis because of their geographic location and the fabric of life in the area. From the beginning of October 2015, there was an escalation in the security situation in Judea and Samaria as a result of the wave of terror,” the cabinet resolution read.
According to the explanation in the resolution, the worsening security situation had an influence on life in the settlements in a number of areas, including on the psychological well being of the residents and economic damage to business. The additional funds are meant to deal with those issues, the resolution read.