MK Yair Lapid
MK Yair LapidFlash 90

Lapid's "Yesh Atid" party is not eager to return funds reassigned today (Tuesday) to foreign yeshiva students. 

Despite early reports that a 50 million NIS budget cut to yeshivot for foreign students was removed from today's bill in the Knesset, "Yesh Atid" officials stated tonight that until criteria have been set regarding eligibility, and until a curriculum plan has been established, no budget transfer will be made to yeshivot. 

In addition, Yesh Atid maintains that only those institutions which meet criteria as Zionist institutions will receive State funding. 

"Programs for overseas students, which have been overseen by Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron and MK Eliezer Stern (HaTnua), seek to create a set of requirements that will require every student from abroad who wishes to study in an Israeli yeshiva, to take a number of courses which will cover State and Zionist values. The program will involve visits to IDF bases, heritage sites, and participate in various seminars on the subject. Funding will be given only to institutions which meet these conditions," Lapid said. 

The program must be approved by Lapid before any funding is allocated to international students.