ISLAMABAD: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has suspended funds for Arab towns and Palestinian education programs in East Jerusalem, citing concerns about crime and safety, leading to accusations of racism.
However, Smotrich, a prominent member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious government, announced on Monday that some budget funds allocated for Arab local councils were perceived as a political payoff from the previous cabinet, potentially ending up in the hands of “criminals and terrorists.”
“The priorities of our national government… differ from those of the previous leftist government, and we should not apologize for that,” stated Smotrich, who leads the pro-settler Religious Zionism party. His past remarks about Palestinians have drawn international condemnation.
Additionally, The freeze of funds were initially reported by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan on Sunday, revealing a letter from Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to Smotrich, urging him to release 200 million shekels ($54 million) for administration and another 100 million for economic development.
Lawmaker Mansour Abbas, who leads the United Arab List, accused Smotrich of racism, emphasizing that Arab citizens were entitled to these funds, which were meant to bridge gaps between Arab and Jewish communities.
In addition, Israel’s Arab minority, largely descended from Palestinians who remained in the country after the 1948 war, constitutes about a fifth of the population. They have long faced disparities in social and economic conditions compared to Jewish citizens.
The freeze could impact basic services like garbage collection and school reopening after the summer holiday for councils.
suspension of funds, Racism, and hatred
Meanwhile, Smotrich also announced that 200 million shekels intended to encourage academic studies among Palestinians from East Jerusalem would be frozen by what he described as “extremist Islamic activity” on campus.
The Israeli government extended a 2.1 billion shekel five-year plan in May 2018 to enhance education, employment, health, and infrastructure in East Jerusalem, aiming to integrate Palestinians into Israeli academic institutions.
However, Smotrich claimed that radical Islamic cells had developed in Israeli universities and colleges, pointing to pro-Palestinian student protests during the 2021 Israel-Gaza war as evidence. The academic institutions involved rejected his assertion.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and other institutions expressed shock at Smotrich’s funding decision, urging Netanyahu not to let “voices that promote hatred and racism” prevail. Security chiefs have cautioned that Smotrich’s decision could be counterproductive.
