Citizen Rights Group Says State's High Court Response Reveals Serious Flaw in Arab Community Budget Cuts

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) stated that the state's response to a petition filed with the High Court of Justice reveals a serious flaw in the government's decision to cut approximately half a billion shekels from the five-year plan budgets for the Arab community, redirecting the funds to the police and the Shin Bet security agency. In its response submitted to the court on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, ACRI argued that the state's reply strengthens its claims regarding the illegality of the decision and demanded an urgent interim order to halt the transfer of funds and the implementation of the decision pending a ruling on the petition.

ACRI pointed out that professional bodies had decided on June 14, after reviewing data and consulting relevant ministries, not to touch the five-year plan budgets. However, just two weeks later, under the direction of the Prime Minister, the government began pushing for the budget cuts without presenting new data to justify the change in position. The organization stressed that the targeted funds are allocated for existing economic and social development projects, not as unutilized surplus, and that affecting them would deepen existing gaps and discrimination against the Arab community.

Regarding the involvement of the Shin Bet in combating civilian crime, ACRI asserted that this task falls outside its legal purview. The group warned against subjecting Arab citizens to a secret security agency, which would establish two separate law enforcement systems, one for Jews and another for Arabs. The request for an interim order came after the state announced on October 26 that the budget transfer request had been submitted to the Knesset Finance Committee for approval, raising fears that the decision would be implemented before the petition is resolved, causing irreparable damage.

This action is part of a petition filed by ACRI in partnership with the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities and the "Itach Ma'aki" and "Mada" associations. Lawyers Hagar Shechter and Nitzan Ilani from ACRI stated, "On its last day, before the dissolution of the Knesset, the outgoing government decided to cut budgets allocated for equality, contrary to professional recommendations and without a compelling justification. Instead of addressing crime, it is pushing towards establishing two separate law enforcement systems, one for Jews and another for Arabs. We hope the court recognizes the gravity of this step and issues an interim order to halt its implementation."