Israel announces fund for Arab businesses

(AP) — Israel is launching a $50 million fund for the country's Arab development, with private Arab and Jewish businessmen underwriting most of it. The government is chipping in the rest.

Israel's Cabinet minister for minority affairs, Avishay Braverman, announced the launch on Tuesday on Israeli Radio.

He says that the "economic potential of Israel in the Arab population is enormous."

Arab citizens make up about one-fifth of Israel's population. Though they are guaranteed equal rights, they have suffered from decades of discrimination.

Jafar Farah of the Arab advocacy organization Mossawa Center welcomed the investment but pointed to inequalities in public transportation, schools and roads. Farah said "the private sector is important, but it's not enough."