Listen to our new Task Force Short with Jack Khoury, one of Israel’s leading journalists and a commentator on Arab affairs, about the current issues in Jewish-Arab relations in Israel.
This update aims to shed light on how the sensitive and complex events of recent months are affecting Arab society and Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. Looking at the wave of terror attacks, tensions in East Jerusalem, and government instability, it explores the civil and national interests influencing Arab society’s response.
Rahat. Photo Credit: Lior Levin
On March 14, 2022, the Government of Israel passed GR-1297, a NIS 5.2 billion, five-year socio-economic-development plan for Bedouin society in the Negev. The budget for this plan was initially approved in November under Takadum, the comprehensive development package for Arab society in Israel. The actual plan, however, was finalized and approved subsequently.
Photo Credit: The Ministry for Social Equality
On November 4th, the Government of Israel approved Government Resolution 550—the second multibillion shekel, 5-year economic development plan for Arab society—as part of the first state budget passed in over three years. Given the name Takadum (‘progress’ in Arabic), GR-550 totals NIS 30 billion / USD 9.6 billion, more than double the size of its predecessor, GR-922.
The shoreline of Jaffa | Photo Credit: Ze'ev Stein, Pikiwiki
The clashes of May 2021 in Israel drew significant attention to mixed cities. To provide essential background, the IATF created a primer on the Arab minority and Jewish Arab Relations in these communities. This report aims to provide a broad overview, data, and insights into both the common and unique characteristics of Jewish-Arab relations in mixed cities, and their relevance to Israel as a whole.