In a controversial budgetary shift, Israel’s government has authorized the reallocation of approximately 220 million shekels ($68.6 million) from civil development programs for Palestinian citizens to police and internal security services. The Sunday decision, proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Social Equality Minister May Golan, will redirect funds originally designated for social programs addressing economic disparities within the Arab-Israeli community.
The transferred budget will now enhance law enforcement capabilities, intelligence operations, and security activities in Palestinian communities across Israel. This move occurs against a backdrop of escalating violent crime, with local media reporting 245 crime-related fatalities in 2025 alone—surpassing last year’s total of approximately 230 deaths.
Government officials defended the reallocation as necessary for addressing urgent security concerns. Minister Golan characterized cultural and sports facilities as ineffective solutions, stating the funds would instead support a “groundbreaking programme” against criminal elements. Minister Ben Gvir framed the measure as implementing “zero tolerance towards criminals.”
However, the decision has faced substantial criticism from community leaders and rights organizations. Talal al-Qrinawi, mayor of Rahat, denounced the move as “purely political and unjustified,” noting that security agencies already possess adequate budgets if properly utilized. Human rights attorney Abeer Baker warned that reducing long-term social investments would undermine crime prevention efforts, emphasizing that “crime cannot be addressed solely through immediate deterrence.”
The Abraham Initiatives, a joint Jewish-Arab advocacy organization, condemned the budgetary transfer as logically bereft and potentially devastating to addressing root causes of violence. The group announced potential legal action through Israel’s High Court of Justice, arguing the cuts would severely harm developmental programs specifically designed to combat crime through education, youth initiatives, and local authority development.