State budget analysis

The Israeli state budget often favors the Jewish majority by allocating more funds to Jewish localities, schools, and institutions than their Palestinian Arab counterparts. To redress this reality, the Mossawa Center works on a national and local level, advocating for just policies and providing citizens and local authorities with the tools and knowledge necessary to live in prosperity.

Since its founding in 1999, the Mossawa Center has been the only civil society organization in Israel that comprehensively analyzes the state budget and its implications for Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, producing an annual report on the needs of the community in contrast to the budget.

The Mossawa Center holds special workshops for Knesset Members and parliamentary staff aimed at informing them about the aspects of the state budget that impact Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel the most and equipping them with the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for the needs and demands of the community within the Knesset. In the workshops, the Mossawa Center reviews the Budget Law and Arrangements Law to highlight means through which the Palestinian Arab community can gain access to more government budgets and monitor the spending of such funds.

Additionally, the Mossawa Center works in close cooperation with Knesset Members, civil society organizations, and activists to compile and analyze the needs of Palestinian Arab women from the state budget. It holds workshops and roundtable discussions with relevant parties, individuals, organizations, and municipalities to map the situation on the ground, draft action plans, and compile a list of demands for the government to address Palestinian Arab women's needs.

Economic development

The Mossawa Center holds an annual state budget and Economic Development Conference which makes recommendations on immediate actions to be taken to secure the funds meant for the Palestinian Arab community from state budget aimed at increasing the economic development of Palestinian Arab localities, especially in terms of industrial zones, employment, and vocational training, healthcare, education, culture, and housing. In its annual state budget analysis report, the Mossawa Center outlines in detail the amount of funding it recommends each government ministry allocate to the Palestinian Arab community.

Since 2015, Mossawa Center has played a central role in advocating for and monitoring the implementation of two five-year-plans announced by the Israeli government. Government Resolution 922 (2015-2021) and Government Resolution 550 (2022-2026) were passed with the purpose of closing the socio-economic gaps between the Palestinian and Jewish communities in Israel. However, both plans do not allocate sufficient funding for the Palestinian community, with the Mossawa Center's analysis showing that GR-550 requires a budget twice as large to adequately address the lagging socio-economic outcomes among Israel's Palestinian minority.

Jisr al-zaqra: Mossawa center's flagship development project

Jisr al-Zarqa, the poorest locality in Israel, has long suffered from economic neglect, housing shortages, and inadequate public services. Since 2017, the Mossawa Center has led extensive advocacy efforts, securing crucial funding and policy changes to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, and tourism in the village.

Key Achievements in Infrastructure and Economic Development

• Secured NIS 8.55 million ($2.3M) for local schools, the municipality, infant care, and transportation system improvements.
• Expanded the village’s master plan, leading to the construction of an entirely new neighborhood.
• Integrated Jisr al-Zarqa into Zikhron Ya’akov’s industrial zone, ensuring 17.5% revenue allocation to the village, which will increase municipal income by NIS 800,000 ($220,000) annually.
• Prevented the demolition of vital community structures, including the local fishing and sports center.
• Removed hazardous electricity poles and included Jisr al-Zarqa in a national class-action lawsuit to improve household electricity connections.

Educational and Youth Empowerment Initiatives

• Secured NIS 200 million ($55M) for school system improvements.
• Launched a school radio station, teacher training programs, and student engagement workshops.
• Supported 50 local nursing students in completing their certification.

Tourism Development and Local Business Support

• Facilitated funding from the Ministry of Tourism for the expansion of the beachfront and tourism projects, including a new motel and camping site.
• Partnered with Juha’s Guesthouse, supporting local women’s handicrafts businesses and community-based tourism.
• Introduced a Technion course educating students on the link between environment and tourism.

Healthcare and Social Services

• Established a municipal healthcare coordinator and expanded women’s health workshops.
• Facilitated the national certification of 15 local nurses.
• Assisted the local authority in securing NIS 85 million ($23M) in financial recovery aid and an additional NIS 51 million ($14M) in debt relief.

Through legal advocacy, municipal engagement, and grassroots initiatives, the Mossawa Center has transformed Jisr al-Zarqa into a model for sustainable development. The Mossawa Center continues to push for economic expansion, improved public services, and government accountability, ensuring a better future for the village and serving as a blueprint for progress in other under-resourced Palestinian Arab localities.