JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved the largest-ever economic development plan for Israeli Arabs.
Nearly $214 million in new money was allocated by the government ministers Sunday for the program, which aims to strengthen the Arab-Israeli economy. The program reportedly includes building and expanding industrial areas, providing professional and academic instruction, increasing tourism, upgrading security and improving transportation and day care.
The program is to start in 12 Arab communities and later will be expanded to more communities.
The approval came the same day as the release of a report by the Coalition Against Racism and the Mossawa Center: The Advocacy Center for Arab Palestinian Citizens of Israel that accuses the current government of being the most discriminatory in Israel’s history after passing at least 21 bills that discriminate against Arabs, according to their count.
A spokesman for the Israeli government did not have immediate comment on the report.
