Israel’s Cabinet approves A$1.3b for eastern Jerusalem
Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday approved a five-year, 3.2 billion shekel (A$1.3 billion) to invest in the residents of eastern Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister at the Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Aug. 20, 2023. Photo by Kobi Gideon/GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the program to reduce economic and social disparities in the eastern section of Israel’s capital city following the Cabinet meeting.
“We brought a decision in favor of the residents of east Jerusalem. A decision that will change the face of the city of Jerusalem, that will bring about a massive development of infrastructure, health, welfare, personal security, employment and an increase in the number of entitled to [high school] matriculation certificates,” Netanyahu said.
“We are building Jerusalem, strengthening the governance and uniting Jerusalem,” the premier continued.
Also speaking at the live-streamed event were Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Jerusalem and Israel’s Tradition Meir Porush and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.
Porush presented the plan for the years 2024-2028 at the Cabinet meeting.
“The government is investing in the Arab population, not because the investment in it will be expressed by adding numbers [of Knesset members] to the coalition, as was the case in the previous government. We are investing billions in them because it is the most humane thing to do, and we do it with all our will and with all our hearts,” Porush said.
In addition, the government approved approximately 1 billion shekels (A$412 million) for transportation projects in eastern Jerusalem including the Eastern Ring Road to connect Israeli communities south of the city in the Bethlehem area to Israeli communities in the Ma’ale Adumim area, east of the capital.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voiced opposition to the eastern Jerusalem investment during the Cabinet meeting, saying that “we need to make sure that the money does not just goes but goes to the right places. I’m very upset that money will go to the wrong districts and places that will misuse it.”
Smotrich had earlier frozen funds intended to help integrate eastern Jerusalem residents into Israeli universities, but he later agreed to release the money.
“The national camp governments were the ones who invested and will invest the most. We want to do it right. We want to make sure that these budgets reach their destination and not for other purposes, whether criminal elements, involvement of terrorism, incitement and violence. The state closed its eyes on this matter. Now we are putting an end to it,” Smotrich said.
TPS
