The human suffering caused by the present war is unprecedented in Israel’s war history. Against this background, the 2025 budget proposal promises Israelis numerous “dark years” — years without a social agenda.

Israel’s chances of reaching the higher echelons of OECD social and economic scales will grow dimmer and dimmer year by year, as the hostilities continue and the military budget maintains its first-priority status.

Budget cuts in the Employment Program for Arab women and men will result in perpetuating the gaps between Jews and Arabs; they also augur damage to the Israeli economy, especially in light of the reduction in the employment of Arabs since the outbreak of war.

While the Knesset prepares to pass the national budget for 2024, the question of a rising defense budget and dwindling funds for social services are at the top of the agenda.

The 15% budget cut in the 5-year plan is liable to negate the progress made to date and to increase the level of violence in Arab society.This is a decisive moment in Israel’s responsibility for Palestinian society – and for Israel as a whole.

Israel’s national budget for 2024 indicates a “day after” with more warfare, less welfare and less equity.

The term “Gaza Envelope” came into usage 20 years ago. The area was all but abandoned in the recent state budget: the per capita amount approved for 2023 and 2024 was lower by 31% than that of 2022

The report points out directions for changes in Israel’s taxation policy, so as to not only cope with the present corona crisis but also to stimulate long-range economic and social development policy, for the purpose of upgrading the standard of living of Israelis and, at the same time, increasing social equality

It is time to abandon the dichotomy between the public and the private sectors. It is time to put the public interest back on center stage

A short paper by Dr. Shlomo Swirski offers insights into the lessons learnt thus far from the corona crisis