In a recent development, the High Court of Justice has issued a temporary injunction against the Interior Ministry’s food stamp program, which is administered by the Shas party. This decision comes on the eve of the program’s anticipated launch, scheduled to coincide with the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.
The announcement has drawn criticism from Shas and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a prominent advocate for legislative reforms within the judicial system. Levin contends that this injunction underscores the imperative to curtail the judiciary’s authority.
The court’s ruling underscores its concerns about the irreversibility of the program once implemented. Consequently, it has mandated that the ministry postpone its rollout until the legal proceedings are concluded.
Importantly, the court emphasizes that this injunction does not signify a prejudgment of the program’s merits. The program faces scrutiny for appearing to prioritize Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) families over other segments of the population grappling with food insecurity.
The Interior Ministry had initially aimed to commence the distribution of NIS 400 million ($104 million) worth of food stamps ahead of the Jewish New Year, which commences next Friday evening. Additionally, plans were in place to distribute an additional NIS 300 million ($78 million) worth of food stamps in preparation for the upcoming holiday periods in 2024.
