Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Wednesday the creation of a new task force to analyze and approve the transfer of funds to Arab municipalities and east Jerusalem.
Smotrich faced intense backlash after he decided to freeze NIS 2.5 billion that were earmarked for the sector, including NIS 200 million that were to go specifically to Hebrew University’s preparatory program for Arab integration in academia and higher education.
The Arab sector needs the best services as Israeli citizens, and that is what this government would give them, Smotrich said in a statement to the press.
“The Arab sector is an inseparable part of Israel,” he said.
Smotrich drew a distinction between his responsibility and support and his objections to cooperation with his Ra’am (United Arab List) and Hadash-Ta’al colleagues, who “support terrorism on a regular basis.”
That is the reason for the commission, he said, adding that it would be led by Finance Ministry Director-General Shlomi Heizler and will work along with the Israel Tax Authority, the Finance Ministry accountant-general, and the Justice Ministry’s Law Enforcement and Collection Authority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the funds would be allocated to the Arab sector and not anywhere else.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas), in a letter to Smotrich, said the funds should be transferred as soon as possible so that the budgets of the municipalities do not incur the damage.
Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel (Likud), Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli (Likud), and most of the opposition MKs criticized the decision.
Why did Smotrich cut funds to Israel's Arab sector?
Arab leaders denounced the decision, with mayors in Arab-majority municipalities warning that they might be unable to open schools next month.
Smotrich reiterated his assertion that the education system in the Arab sector was contributing to nationalism.
“Nationalist extremism is unfortunately expanding in [more] segments of Arab society in Israel, including within the universities through radical Islamic cells that incite violence and terrorism, fighting the IDF soldiers, and sympathizing with the enemy in times of war.”
Political action groups that advocate for terrorist organizations are officially illegal in Israel, although it is unknown if they operate underground at universities.