The Cabinet approved Wednesday Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel’s proposal to advance a systematic and structural economic development plan for Israel’s Arab sector.
The plan includes structural corrections to government allocation mechanisms in order to reduce disparities between Israel’s Jewish and minority populations.
It also allocates resources for implementing a report on increasing the supply of housing in minority communities enabling for the future construction of tens of thousands of housing units.
The government anticipates implementation of the plan will significantly contribute to the economic development of minority populations by increasing employment rates, improving scholastic achievements, increasing a sense of personal security in these communities, improving the accessibility of public transportation and strengthening local authorities.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu praised the initiative, stressing thee great importance the government ascribes to the development and economic integration of minority populations.
“This is a significant addition designed to assist minority populations and reduce gaps,” he explained. “The plan will lead to the end of close-to-the-ground construction and a transition to high-rise construction as exists throughout the country.”
“At the same time, the plan will strengthen law enforcement in the minority sector with emphasis on illegal construction.”
President Reuven Rivlin hailed the five-year plan to promote the status of Israel’s Arab population as a “brave and significant decision.”
“This is an important, and vital step on the road to closing the gaps which have existed for years,” he applauded Netanyahu. “Clearly, there is a long road ahead, but the government’s decision, under your leadership, represents a turning point.”