Funding freeze sparks Arab town strikes in Israel

Arab local councils in Israel held a strike in protest against the finance minister's freeze on hundreds of millions of shekels to their municipalities, accusing him of racism. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suspended the funds, claiming they could end up in the hands of "criminal and terrorist elements." Arab citizens, who make up about a fifth of Israel's population, have long faced disparities compared to Jewish citizens, including high poverty rates and poorly funded schools. Despite a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to release the funds, Smotrich doubled down on his decision, drawing accusations of racism from Arab and Jewish lawmakers. Arab leaders protested outside government offices, with videos showing police pushing demonstrators.