Even as the nation mourns, Israel is planning to improve the lives of Arabs living in Jerusalem.From Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today (Sunday, 29 June 2014), approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for the socio-economic development of Jerusalem.Isn't this awful? Improving the Arab sector, helping the Arabs (most of whom refuse citizenship) to live better and get better jobs, is obviously part of the Judaization of Jerusalem.
This is the first time that a comprehensive socio-economic development will be formulated and implemented for eastern Jerusalem.
In the field of socio-economic development, the plan will focus on four fields of action:
1. Improving physical infrastructures: Improving the level of infrastructures in eastern Jerusalem in all areas - drainage, sewage, water, electricity, roads and sidewalks, as well as carrying out an infrastructures survey in the area.
2. Education, vocational education and higher education: In order to work toward improving the socio-economic situation of the population and in order to create an economic alternative for residents of the eastern part of the city, it has been proposed to advance plans in the field of education, higher education and vocational training including pre-academic classes, increasing the study of Hebrew in schools and enacting plans to prevent dropping out. It was also decided to enact a city-without-violence plan in five neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem.
3. Offering accessible employment possibilities: Due to the severe socio-economic situation in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods and due to the difficulty of integrating with the conclusion of academic studies, in light of clause two above, many young people drop out of studies in order to assist in earning a living for their families. The difficulty of concluding studies, alongside the negative expectation of integrating into the labor force with a Palestinian matriculation certificate and limited employment possibilities, significantly reduce the motivation to conclude studies and lead to a high drop-out rate and a smaller chance of in finding quality employment.
4. Social affairs: Adding social workers and youth workers, building recreational facilities and operating youth recreation programs, enrichment classes and programs for children and youth at risk.
I expect OIC and UN resolutions condemning this.
(h/t Irene)