$50 Million For Arab Israeli Business Development

A group of Israeli business people and the Israeli government are going to contribute to a $50 million for Arab Israelis to develop businesses.  The J-Post reports:

Israel is launching a $50 million fund for the country’s Arab development, Minorities Affairs Minister Avishay Braverman told Israel Radio Tuesday.

Private Arab and Jewish businessmen will underwrite most of the fund, and the government will chip in the rest, he said.

When he announced the launch, Braverman said that the “economic potential of Israel in the Arab population is enormous.”

Arab citizens make up about one-fifth of Israel’s population.

Jafar Farah of the Arab advocacy organization Mossawa Center welcomed the investment but pointed to inequalities in public transportation, schools and roads. Farah said “the private sector is important, but it’s not enough.”

This is a wonderful opportunity for Arab Israelis to go through economic development that can better their individual lives and the Israeli economy overall.  I hope the fund is a success.