The local councils of Arab towns in Israel organized a strike in protest of the finance minister's decision to freeze hundreds of millions of shekels allocated for their municipalities, a move that has sparked accusations of racism. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, has frozen funding for Arab towns amounting to no less than 200 million shekels (approximately 52.75 million dollars), claiming that the funds could end up in the hands of "criminal and terrorist elements."
The mayor of Umm al-Fahm, Samir Mahamid, told Israeli Army Radio that the finance minister's description of Arabs as thieves and criminals is "ridiculous" and "false." He added, "This is necessary money for life, not luxuries," clarifying that the funds aim to help combat the rising crime rates. He stated, "This is a struggle for our lives."
Smotrich's decision has provoked accusations of racism from both Arab and Jewish lawmakers, including the leader of the opposition bloc in parliament, Yair Lapid, as well as from Arab municipal leaders. Arab citizens, most of whom are descendants of Palestinians who remained in the newly established State of Israel after the 1948 war, constitute about 20 percent of Israel's population. For decades, the Arab minority in Israel has suffered from deteriorating conditions compared to Jewish citizens, including higher poverty rates, inadequate infrastructure in crowded cities, and limited funding for schools, which they say is a result of deliberate government policies.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel urged Smotrich to release the funds and expressed his support for the local councils' strike. Prominent Arab dignitaries and figures demonstrated in front of government offices today. Videos circulated on social media showed police pushing some demonstrators, including Arab MK Ayman Odeh. Protesters shouted "Violent police!" after officers restrained a woman who was seen lying on the ground with blood on her forehead. The police stated that their forces repelled the demonstrators who attempted to storm the Ministry of Finance.
