Minister to Smotrich: No justification or reason to revoke grants for Arab towns

Diaspora and Social Equality Minister Amichai Chikli of Likud calls on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to end the freeze on funds for Arab local councils.

“There is no justification or reason to revoke grants” to the municipalities, Chikli says in a letter to Smotrich.

Acknowledging that some criminal elements have become involved in public tenders in Arab towns (Smotrich has cited fears of misuse of funds in his decision), Chikli says the freeze still cannot be justified and notes the municipalities “counted on the grants in their budgetary planning.”

Withholding the funds “will lead to deficits and a halt of basic services to residents.”

Chikli goes on to list various actions that can be taken to ensure funds are not misused.

Smotrich has faced growing criticism for a number of decisions to freeze funds aimed at improving life for the Arab public, with some accusing him of racist motives.