The position paper was drafted in response to the Government decision to allocate between 9.5 and 15 Billion NIS over 5 years to the Arab Community.

This decision for increased funding does not fully address the gaps between the Jewish and Arab communities and in particular, the issues of poverty, culture, education, and unrecognized villages in the Negev. According to Mossawa’s data, 32 Billion NIS over 5 years are needed to close the gaps.

According to a new OECD report on Israel’s Economy, published on Sunday, Jan 31st income inequality in Israel is among the highest among developed nations. The report shows gaps between the Arab and the Jewish community mainly in the sectors of Education and Employment. The data from the report supports Mossawa’s long time claim that there is a severe need for increased allocations to the Arab community (For the Main Findings of the Report click here)

On January 28, 2016 the Mossawa Center in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung held a briefing for the diplomatic corps on the government decision regarding budgetary allocations to the Arab community and the Arab community’s position towards it.

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Presentations were given by Mr. Aiman Saif, Head of The Authority for Economic Development of Minorities at the Ministry for Social Equality (for his presentation click here), MKs Aida Touma-Sliman, Bassel Ghattas, Zoheir Bahloul and Ksenia Svetlova as well as by Mr. Mudar Yunes, Head of the Local Council of Ar'ara and chair of the Association for Heads of the Arab Local Councils.