Israel Police Seeks to Bolster Presence in Arab Sector
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The Israel Police is seeking to bolster its presence in the Jewish state’s Arab sector by enlisting 1,350 additional policemen and setting up 10 new police stations nationwide, Israel Hayom reported Tuesday. The cost of the plan, which is part of an overall government plan to increase governance in the Arab sector, is estimated at 800 million shekels (about $200 million).
A special ministerial committee headed by Israeli Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin will oversee the plan’s implementation. Increased presence on the ground is part of the police’s plan to streamline law enforcement efforts in the Arab sector, especially concerning construction law.
The ministerial committee is also scheduled to discuss the appropriation of 10 billion shekels ($2.5 billion) in the Arab sector’s development. As part of the government’s plan, the Interior Ministry’s Planning Administration will complete its outline for Arab authorities’ new zoning and construction plans within two years.
Arab authorities found to be in gross violation of constructions laws will not be eligible for additional development budgets. Under the Arab sector’s development plan, local Arab authorities will be required to formulate ways to eradicate illegal construction in their jurisdiction, including specific enforcement goals, which the police would need to approve.