The war will damage the Israeli economy in general and the weakened Arab minority in particular. A few months ago, the Ministry of Finance froze NIS 200 million from the budgets intended for the Arab local authorities, included in the government's five-year plan 550 for the years 2022-2026, which was approved and included in the state budget. About a week ago, the government approved a budget with a similar intention and on a larger scale (per capita) for the Druze authorities, even though crime in this sector is no lower than in the other Arab authorities.
The freezing of the budgets has caused the Arab authorities heavy deficits and damaged their ability to provide essential services to this large population. The continuation of the budget freeze during the war is expected to cause economic distress, in part as a result of layoffs and the collapse of small businesses (due to suppliers not being paid), and the development of negative phenomena, such as an increase in grey market activity and the increase of crime and violence. Beyond that, the freeze damages emergency preparedness in the Arab communities, which is low to begin with. The Arab communities lack physical infrastructure for emergencies, protection, and shelters, and lack first aid stations, emergency medical centers, and basic emergency and rescue services. Withholding government budgets increases the danger of direct injury and the danger to human life, as has already been seen in Arab communities, and impairs the ability of the heads of authorities to concentrate on providing essential services for the residents and maintaining quiet and a routine way of life,
This is a sensitive social and security-related question, which might at this time encourage nationalist extremism and harm national security. It is recommended to release the budgets that are due to the local authorities without delay, and to implement the existing plans for the promotion and development of Arab society and the fight against violence and crime. This will be part of the general effort required to strengthen the social resilience of the Arab citizens and essential normal relations between Jews and Arabs in common workplaces and throughout the public realm.
The war will damage the Israeli economy in general and the weakened Arab minority in particular. A few months ago, the Ministry of Finance froze NIS 200 million from the budgets intended for the Arab local authorities, included in the government's five-year plan 550 for the years 2022-2026, which was approved and included in the state budget. About a week ago, the government approved a budget with a similar intention and on a larger scale (per capita) for the Druze authorities, even though crime in this sector is no lower than in the other Arab authorities.
The freezing of the budgets has caused the Arab authorities heavy deficits and damaged their ability to provide essential services to this large population. The continuation of the budget freeze during the war is expected to cause economic distress, in part as a result of layoffs and the collapse of small businesses (due to suppliers not being paid), and the development of negative phenomena, such as an increase in grey market activity and the increase of crime and violence. Beyond that, the freeze damages emergency preparedness in the Arab communities, which is low to begin with. The Arab communities lack physical infrastructure for emergencies, protection, and shelters, and lack first aid stations, emergency medical centers, and basic emergency and rescue services. Withholding government budgets increases the danger of direct injury and the danger to human life, as has already been seen in Arab communities, and impairs the ability of the heads of authorities to concentrate on providing essential services for the residents and maintaining quiet and a routine way of life,
This is a sensitive social and security-related question, which might at this time encourage nationalist extremism and harm national security. It is recommended to release the budgets that are due to the local authorities without delay, and to implement the existing plans for the promotion and development of Arab society and the fight against violence and crime. This will be part of the general effort required to strengthen the social resilience of the Arab citizens and essential normal relations between Jews and Arabs in common workplaces and throughout the public realm.