The government is expected to approve on Sunday a massive financial package of 72 million shekels ($18.6 million) for settlements during its weekly meeting.
While the budget is largely being justified on security-related grounds, an examination of the budget shows that a large proportion of the money is intended for fields which are not related to security matters.
The program will assign the Interior Ministry a one-time grant of NIS 15 million ($3.8 million) to local authorities in settlements in light of the expenses arising from the security situation in the region.
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As part of the program the Interior Ministry will allocate 15 million shekels to the local authorities of the settlements in light of the outgoings which have come from the situation in the area. The Ministry of Agriculture undertake efforts to convert temporary structures into permanent and renovated buildings for the public to strengthen security. The sum allocated for this will be NIS 10 million ($2.5 million).
Furthermore, money will be allocated toward funding resilience centers in order to strengthen the preparedness of communities in the West Bank for emergencies and to support psychological and social programs. The investment will total 12 million shekels over the course of 3 years. Additionally, the Ministry of Social Affairs will increase its activities in the West Bank at a cost of 6 million shekels ($1.5 million) .
The Ministry of Social Equality will also be strengthened in many fields by providing further support for elderly citizens, the promotion of social engagement among young people for the community, the propomtion of volunteer work, female empowerment – all at the cost of 2 million shekels.
