On December 30, 2015, the Israeli government unanimously adopted a five-year plan (2016-2020) for the Arab population, estimated at approximately NIS 15 billion. The program, which addresses many areas, is built on changes in the current budget allocation mechanism for the Arab minority, so as to ensure enhanced equality. The Ministry for Social Equality will be in charge of implementing the program, together with the budget division of the Ministry of Finance, and will chair an inter-ministerial steering committee that includes representatives from all the involved ministries. The chairman of the council of Arab local authority heads will also be invited. Most of the budget earmarked for implementation of the program is already integrated into the 2016 budget; the rest will require the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee.

The most significant parts of the program include:

1. Education: Special emphasis is being placed on teacher training and professional development, learning achievements, and expanded informal education. The Ministry of Education is to formulate specific goals for improving students’ command of Arabic and Hebrew and increase the rate of those passing higher level mathematics matriculation exams. In higher education, steps will be taken to increase the percentage of Arab students, so that by 2021 they will represent 17 percent of undergraduates, 12 percent of graduate students, and 7 percent of doctoral candidates. The budget for the education programs is not specified in the government decision, but the existing differential budgeting system might possibly ensure the necessary allocation of funds to the Arab communities.
2. Employment: Fifty percent of budgets for various employment tracks will be transferred to populations whose rate of participation in the workforce is low, so as to incentivize employers to hire minorities while bestowing preferential status for women and Bedouins. In addition, at least 25 percent of the annual allocation for building daycare centers will be guaranteed to minority communities, thus increasing daycare options. Some 20 percent of the base budget of the Small and Medium Business Agency will be allocated to minority groups, and further resources will be transferred to encourage small and medium sized businesses in Arab towns.
3. Accessibility: The goal of equality in public transportation has been re-affirmed. Consequently, 40 percent of funds for additional public transportation services, or NIS 100 million – whichever is higher – are allocated for the benefit of Arab towns, until the public transportation coverage equals the national standards. The goal for complete equality in transportation accessibility between Jewish and Arab communities has been set for 2022.

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