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From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 7, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 7, 2023
Gantz: Smotrich freezing millions earmarked for Arab towns ‘reeks of racism’
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Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on July 17, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition National Unity party, slams Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his decision to freeze millions in grants earmarked for Arab municipalities, saying the move “reeks of racism.”
“Treating crime in the Arab community is in the interest of all of Israeli society and not just the Arab community, Gantz says. “Police enforcement alone is not enough; there needs to be widespread and serious investment across all spheres: education, infrastructure, welfare and more.”
“This decision by Finance Minister Smotrich to hold up NIS 200 million that was promised to the Arab authorities reeks of racism and not only harms them, but the entire society,” he says.
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