Der'i's Ultra-Orthodox Development Plan Mimics Arab Program in Reverse

United Torah Judaism party leader Aryeh Deri has proposed a multi-billion shekel five-year plan for the ultra-Orthodox community, which he claims is an "exact copy-paste" of a successful development program for the Arab community. However, critics argue Deri's plan aims for economic suppression and segregation, contrasting sharply with the Arab program's focus on economic development and integration.

Deri stated in a campaign video that the "Banet-Abbas change government" allocated 53 billion shekels for the Arab sector's "Takadum" (550) plan, a figure that includes 20 billion shekels for roads that were never built. In reality, less than 20 billion shekels have been spent over five years, a sum deemed insufficient given the Arab community's historical underfunding.

The article contrasts the two plans, highlighting that the Arab program (Resolution 550) focuses on improving education, higher education, vocational training, job creation, and transportation accessibility, with budgets tied to measurable goals. In contrast, Deri's draft plan reportedly emphasizes autonomy and sectoral budgets without clear objectives, potentially incentivizing non-integration into the workforce. For example, while Resolution 550 sets employment targets and promotes digital literacy, the ultra-Orthodox draft allegedly funds services for those without smartphones and prioritizes community sovereignty over integration.

Critics point out the disparity in historical government involvement, noting the ultra-Orthodox sector has been part of the ruling establishment for 50 years, unlike the Arab sector which has had one year of integration and faced discrimination. The article also cites data suggesting preferential treatment for the ultra-Orthodox community in areas like daycare subsidies and government housing lotteries, despite claims of deprivation. The author argues that funding private ultra-Orthodox educational institutions that do not teach core subjects is a severe distortion and calls for future governments to allocate funds only to state-run ultra-Orthodox education.