Politics21:00 · 9h ago

Israeli Government Plans to Divert 600 Million Shekels from Arab Community Programs to Security Forces

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Israeli government plans to redirect 600 million shekels from Arab development programs to security forces.
02The budget cut threatens closure of "Riyan," a major Arab youth employment and guidance program.
03Cuts include 90 million shekels from the Ministry of Labor and 60 million from Culture and Sports budgets.
04Monitoring committee for the Arab development plan has not met since Minister May Golan took office.
05Community leaders warn that reducing social programs will worsen crime rather than prevent it.
06Personal success stories highlight the importance of employment programs in deterring youth from crime.

In this story

People

Arafat Jabarin, May Golan, Saliman Al-Amour, Liat Brosh, Hussam Abu-Bakr, Hassan Tuafra

OrganizationsRiyan Program, Ministry of Labor, Ministry for Social Equality, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Shin Bet, AJIC, Be'atzmi Association, Alfanar Association

PlacesJaljulia, Arab community, Israel

The story · English

The Israeli government is considering reallocating approximately 600 million shekels from the five-year development plan for the Arab community to the police and Shin Bet as part of efforts to combat crime within the Arab sector. This decision, initially scheduled for Sunday but postponed to Tuesday, threatens the continuation of "Riyan," a key employment guidance and encouragement program managed by the Ministry of Labor. "Riyan" has successfully trained thousands of young Arabs, providing alternatives to crime through vocational courses and employment support.

The funding cuts are part of a series of reductions to the multi-year plan overseen by the Ministry for Social Equality, led by Minister May Golan. Since her tenure began, the plan has seen a 15% budget cut, triple the general government-wide reduction, including a recent 220 million shekel diversion to enhance law enforcement. Critics argue these cuts will lead to the immediate closure of vital programs rather than mere budget trimming.

Beyond budget reductions, the monitoring committee established to oversee the plan's implementation has not convened since Golan took office, raising concerns about oversight. Significant funding losses include 90 million shekels from the Ministry of Labor and 60 million from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, which supports sports infrastructure in Arab towns, a key factor in crime prevention.

Community leaders warn that shifting funds from social programs to security forces addresses symptoms rather than root causes of crime. Saliman Al-Amour, CEO of the Jewish-Arab organization AJIC, emphasized that prevention through education, youth frameworks, and employment is essential to stop the cycle of crime. Liat Brosh, CEO of the "Be'atzmi" association operating half of the "Riyan" centers, called the cuts existential threats to programs proven to reduce crime by offering young people viable alternatives.

The article highlights personal stories of young Arabs who have benefited from these programs, underscoring the importance of employment and community support in preventing criminal involvement. The Ministry for Social Equality did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.

Read the original at Ynet