The Israeli government has paved the way for certain yeshivos to lose valuable tax benefits after informing the High Court that Torah institutions will now be required to certify that none of their talmidim are subject to military service and have failed to regularize their status.
The policy centers on Section 46 of Israel’s Income Tax Ordinance, which allows donors to approved nonprofit organizations—including yeshivos—to receive tax credits for their contributions. A petition filed by the “Israel Hofsheet” organization argued that institutions with talmidim who are obligated to serve in the military but have not resolved their status should not qualify for those tax benefits.
During Thursday’s court hearing, the state largely adopted the petitioners’ position, announcing that yeshivos seeking to obtain or renew Section 46 approval will be required to declare that none of their talmidim fall into that category. Institutions will also be required to submit relevant student lists for review.
According to the state, letters have already been sent to 147 Torah institutions. Even yeshivos that already hold valid Section 46 approval will be required to submit documentation demonstrating compliance. Institutions found not to meet the new requirements could face proceedings to revoke their approval after a hearing.
Following the state’s announcement, the High Court ruled that the petition had become moot because the government had already accepted the core of the petitioners’ demands and begun implementing the new policy. The petition was dismissed without costs, and the court emphasized that it was not ruling on the legality of the new policy itself. Institutions affected by the changes will be able to file separate legal challenges.
Notably, the Netanyahu government and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich did not present a legal challenge to the state’s position or seek separate representation before the court. As a result, the policy advanced without the High Court having to issue a substantive ruling compelling the government to act.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
8 Responses
Where is Netanyahu??? He is Prime Minister; why is he not doing anything about this? Why do the religious parties go along with him? He has not delivered on his promises and now he’s standing by and doing nothing to help.
PERSECUTION of the TORAH WORLD – NOTHING TO DO WITH ENLISTMENT; NO UNIVERSITIES WITH DRAFT DODGERS AND ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISTS BEING TARGETED!
Why did the government here also say; WE WILL NOT COMPLY?!
הם אמרו פן ירבה אני אומר כן ירבה!
Is the article about special privileges given only to yeshivos, but denied to universities, left wing non-profits, or Islamic anti-zionist organizations????
These reshaim are both disgusting and pathetic.
No normal country would require its universities to check the army status of their students. And in that same Zionist paradise, they don’t require their universities (liHavdil elef havdalos) to check the army status of its students.
what a kefirah to compare yeshivos and universities and demand the same treatment^!
Universities are teaching (or supposed to) skills in olam hazeh, so a secular government may (or not) give them privileges to do that. It is better for the country to have an engineer than a stam soldier.
Yeshivas (are supposed to) be etaching you olam habo. That demands more kavod al pi gemorah, but it does not entitle someone to live at someone else’s expense. Make your shabbos like chol but do not depend on the kahal! This is when the kahal wants to support you, kal vahomer when you are demanding it. Like the difference between sone matanos as a good middah v. not robbing as a basic halocha.
yeshivot have a long history of fabricating any number of things; universities and hesder yeshivot have no such history of fabrication.
Just to clarify, in the name of ‘equality’ a yeshiva with a draft-dodger (bochur who always files for a deferral while they existed) loses all tax emempt status while a university with draft-dodgers (anarchists who do not recognize army service) still gets tax exemptions! If it was not actually happening it would be hard to believe that the high court and it’s national religious accomplices would have the audacity to persecute Torah to such a level. Just remember, ‘All are equal and some are more equal than others’ (George Orwell).
Guys, it is easy to focus on university marxist departments, but they still manage to graduate enough math, physics, engineering, computer science students that are responsible for Israeli military and civilian industries. These graduates keep you both protected and fed. Without them, you’ll be asking for maaser for yeshivos from Jaffa orange and Rammallah olive growers.