Gaza Border Leaders Warn of Severe Impact from Budget Cuts
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Local leaders from Israel's Gaza border region sent an urgent letter to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister warning that planned budget cuts will severely harm the area's recovery. They fear the cuts will disproportionately impact education, welfare, and health systems vital for rehabilitation. The budget for reconstruction has already been reduced, and further cuts could total 130 million shekels. The leaders stressed that the region's resilience is crucial for national security and called for budget decisions to align with the commitment to its rehabilitation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gaza border leaders warned the Prime Minister of severe harm from planned budget cuts.
- They fear cuts will disproportionately impact education, welfare, and health systems.
- The rehabilitation budget has already seen reductions, with more proposed.
- The leaders stated the region's resilience is integral to Israel's security.
- The "Tkomah" administration's work is scheduled to end in approximately two years.
Local leaders from communities in Israel's Gaza border region have sent an urgent letter to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, expressing grave concerns about planned budget cuts that they fear will undermine the area's recovery.
The officials warn that the proposed "horizontal cuts" to the state budget are likely to disproportionately harm the education, welfare, and health systems, which are crucial for the rehabilitation of the region and its residents. They argue that it is impossible to rebuild the Gaza border area by cutting funding for children's education, family welfare, and resident health services.
The letter highlights that the budget intended for rehabilitation has already faced cuts, impacting its effectiveness. The practical consequence of these cuts, they state, is a direct blow to the ability to strengthen education, provide for families needing welfare services, ensure health and resilience, and continue the recovery and growth processes in the region. They emphasize that the civilian resilience of the Gaza border area is integral to Israel's security and should not be a source of funding cuts.
Originally set at 19 billion shekels, the rehabilitation budget was revised to 17.5 billion due to other budgetary needs. An additional 520 million shekels were cut as part of efforts to reduce the "Tkomah" (Reconstruction) budget, with 90 million removed this year. The current proposed cuts could bring the total reduction to 130 million shekels.
The "Tkomah" administration is scheduled to conclude its work in about two years. During this period, some residents are expected to continue living in temporary housing as infrastructure and rehabilitation work in their home communities remains incomplete. The leaders point out that the forced evacuation of residents resulted from the failure of defense and security systems, leading to a massacre and widespread displacement.
Leaders, including Alon Davidi of Sderot, Michal Ouziahu of Eshkol Regional Council, Itamar Ravivo of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, and Assi Elmsi of Sdot Negev Regional Council, assert that the region's rehabilitation has been declared a national mission. They call on the government to ensure that budget decisions reflect this commitment.
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