abcd2: Which is why I support the Hareidi (e.g. Eidah hareidis) approach – don’t accept money from the zionists. As it says in Pirke Avos (meaning everyone should know about it – its not like its kaballah or something), when the govenrment gives you money, it’s always for an ulterior motive and you should be wary.
zahavasdad: The “bribe” paid to the yeshiovos was in return for having the hareidi parties support the payers on political issues. It was, as they say in American law, good and valuable consideration. In fact, the bulk of financial support for Israeli yeshivos is not the from the government but from private (typically American) sources. That’s why the initial plan to coerce enlistment by cutting off yeshiva stipends failed – the stipends were negligible.