Dozens of mayors and council heads from Israel’s periphery recently held an ‘Equality March’ demanding radical changes to Israel’s system of budget allocation. A number of NIF grantees have been involved with this issue for many years.

Following the rejection a bill promoting fairer budgeting, the group is calling for increased funding for poorer cities and regions in the country.

MK and NIF Law Fellow alum Karin Elharar (Yesh Atid), who proposed the bill, said: “The Israeli Government has the money. And just as it manages to reach the settlements, it should also reach the municipalities and local authorities that fight for proper education and welfare for its residents each and every day.”

The Equality March began in Yeruham (where the municipality has worked closely with the NIF on a number of projects), and then to the Bedouin town of Segev Shalom, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, and Beit Shemesh. The march ended in Jerusalem, where they set up a protest tent.

Yeruham Regional Council Head Michael Biton said: “It’s unacceptable that half of the citizens of Israel are systematically discriminated against. Equal opportunities for education and equal treatment when it comes to welfare aren’t privileges. It’s the government’s job and the job of the government ministers to fulfil their basic obligations.”