There is widespread diplomatic concern over the implications of reducing the government's development budget for the Arab community.

On Thursday, 29.02.2024, a meeting was held at the offices of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation with dozens of diplomats from various embassies, initiated by the Mossawa Center in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, on the consequences of cuts in the state budget, especially the budgets allocated to bridge the gaps in the Arab community in accordance with government decisions 550, 1279, 1804, 549, and 880.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Ralph Hexer, the director of the Ebert Foundation in the country, who welcomed the attendees and affirmed the foundation's commitment to promoting social justice in the country.

Ms. Suha Salman Mousa, the Executive Director of the Mossawa Center, explained the efforts made by the Mossawa Center in advocating for the rights of the Arab community from government ministries and in cooperation with Knesset members and heads of Arab local authorities to secure economic and social rights for the Arab community in the country.

Judith Stelmach, the Project Manager at the Ebert Foundation, emphasized the importance of the economic development program for the Arab community and budget analysis as a basis for promoting equality in resource distribution among all citizens.

Jafar Farah, the Director of the Mossawa Center, and Mohammed Abu Lil, the Economic Development Coordinator, presented an analysis of the state budget, showing data on the expected cuts in the 2024 budget and the serious implications of these cuts on all aspects of life in the Arab community and the economy in general.

Farah expressed his concern about the cuts of 15% from the budget allocated to the Arab community in addition to a comprehensive cut of 5% that will be imposed on various government ministries, thus doubling the damage, both in terms of affecting the reduction of existing employment

and social gaps between the Arab and Jewish community, and on the other hand, negatively affecting the overall economic growth rate.

Mr. Adel Badir, the Mayor of Kafr Qasim, provided concrete examples illustrating the impact of budget cuts on the work of the local authority and reducing its ability to implement projects that advance the young generation and high school students, such as non-curricular educational programs to prevent school dropouts and deviation towards crime, in addition to affecting the provision of adequate solutions in the fields of employment, housing, and culture.

It is worth mentioning that the Finance Committee in the Knesset is currently discussing the state budget proposal for 2024 presented by the government with the aim of approving it in the Knesset.