Yuval Steinitz
Photo: Flash 90
Steinitz: State must bridge gaps between Jewish, Arab sectors
Knesset debates effects of planned budgets cuts on Arab sector; Mossawa Center presents data suggesting majority of government bureaus failing to properly distribute sector-designated funds
The Knesset held a special session Monday to discuss the effects of the planned budget cuts on the Israel's Arab sector.
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz took part in the session and said that it was the "country's duty to bridge the gaps" between the Jewish and Arab sectors.
According to data by the Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, much of the funds earmarked for the sector are not actually used in this way: The Construction and Housing Ministry, for example, used only 57% of its sector-designated funds.
The Education Ministry did not fare better: The Arab sector is lacking 9,300 classrooms, but the ministry plans to build only 2,850 classrooms in the next two years.
The Transportation and Agriculture ministries used only a fraction of their designated budgets is the past few years, as well; and the only ministry to do justice by the Arab sector, said the Mossawa report, was the Ministry of National Infrastructures, "Which funneled unprecedented funds in favor of the sector."
"The Israeli governments over the years have done nothing but use empty slogans. I suggest this government stop and think. Cutting us out of resource allocation, coupled with anti-Arab statements, cause the Arab public to like it is being backed into a corner," said MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al).
"We will not be backed into a corner. We are not second class citizens," he added.
Minister of Minority Affairs Avishay Braverman and Minister Steinitz said that a new investment fund, which has $40.73 million at its disposal, was set to begin funneling new aid to the sector, starting next week.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin added: "Israel's Arab public cannot be dismissed. We have to find a way to make a fifth of our population feel like they belong."
Addressing the Arab MKs attending the session, Rivlin said that "I don’t expect you to become lovers of Zion – my expectations are far more humble. I expect you to put aside the hatred which seems to be seeping further deeper in your public."
