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Druze, Circassians not seduced by Netanyahu’s budget

A ridiculously small budget of 50 million shekels won’t help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win over the Druze and the Circassian communities ahead of possible new elections.
A member of the Israeli Druze community leaves after casting her vote during Israel's parliamentary elections on September 17, 2019, in Daliyat al-karmel in northern Israel. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP)        (Photo credit should read JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

At the start of this week’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proudly announced, “We have a great obligation to our friends in the Druze and Circassian communities. Today, we are submitting another cabinet decision on developing and strengthening these communities, an additional 50 million shekels [$15 million] for planning, infrastructure development, the expansion of Hebrew language studies and more. We are instructing the professional elements in the various ministries to continue formulating the five-year plan.”

The announcement struck like thunder on a sunny day. There was no previous indication that anything like it was coming, though it is no doubt a welcome step. It is always good to see the government investing in minority populations. However, if we look a little more closely at the announcement, the sum is a drop in the proverbial bucket. The Forum of Druze and Circassian Local Authorities represents a total of 16 localities. How much can they really plan and develop if all they get is about 3 million shekels ($900,000) apiece?

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