Israeli Government to Divert Funds from Arab Society Program to Defense Ministry
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
The Israeli government plans to divert over 1 billion shekels from a five-year plan for the Arab community to the Ministry of Defense for purchasing Apache helicopters. The funds, to be reallocated between 2026 and 2029, will be cut from the Arab community's budget. This decision follows reports of underutilization of funds designated for combating crime in the Arab sector, which has also been subject to political disputes and oversight concerns.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Israeli government will transfer 1.03 billion shekels from the Arab community's five-year plan to the Defense Ministry.
- The funds are intended for the expedited purchase of 12 Apache helicopters.
- The reallocation will occur between 2026 and 2029, impacting budgets for the Arab community.
- This decision follows reports of underutilization of funds for combating crime in the Arab community.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has previously raised concerns about fund diversion to criminal organizations.
The Israeli government is planning to reallocate approximately 1.03 billion shekels from a five-year plan for the Arab community to the Ministry of Defense for the expedited purchase of 12 Apache helicopters. This decision, initiated via a phone poll, was detailed in a document sent to government members by Secretary to the Government Yossi Fuchs.
According to the proposal, spearheaded by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the funds will be allocated over several years: 68 million shekels in 2026, 169 million in 2027, 342 million in 2028, and 453 million in 2029. The 2026 portion will be covered by funds initially designated for interest and commission payments. For the subsequent years, the funding will come from cuts to the multi-year budget allocated to the Arab community.
This move comes amid reports that the National Security Ministry utilized less than half of the budget allocated for combating crime in the Arab community under Government Decision 549. Out of an allocated 1.5 billion shekels, only about 748 million were reportedly used. This decision aims to tackle violence and organized crime in Arab towns and villages.
The implementation of the budget for the Arab community has faced political disputes, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and others raising concerns about funds potentially being diverted to criminal organizations. These concerns led to delays in budget disbursement and the imposition of special oversight mechanisms. The Shin Bet will also be involved in combating crime in the Arab community.
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