Israel diverts Palestinian citizens’ development funds to police

The Israeli government has approved the transfer of 220 million shekels ($68.6m) from civil development programs for its Palestinian citizens to the police and the Shin Bet internal intelligence agency. The funds were originally allocated for social, educational, and cultural programs aimed at reducing economic gaps and tackling the root causes of high crime rates. Proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the government claims the reallocation will enhance law enforcement and operational activity within the Palestinian community. Leaders of the Palestinian community and human rights groups have condemned the move as political, stating it will harm long-term efforts to address crime and that security forces already possess sufficient budgets.