NEW YORK – Contrary to recent suggestions that the Israeli government spends an inappropriate amount of money on Jewish communities in Judea-Samaria-Gaza, the actual statistics reveal that those towns typically receive less funding than towns within the 1967 borders.

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) points out that according to official statistics released by the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza:

* Funding of Cities: The Israeli government spends 3,370 shekels per resident of Beit Shean, 3,250 shekels per resident of Sderot, 3,160 per resident of Ofakim, and 2,500 shekels per resident of Kiryat Gat, 2,430 per resident of the Israeli Arab city of Sakhnin, and 2,050 per resident of the Israeli Arab city of Um al-Fahm —all cities within the pre-1967 borders— as compared to 2,070 per resident of Ma’ale Adumim, 1,800 per resident of Modiin Elite, and 1,670 per president of Beitar Elite, three cities in the territories. [Sderot, Ofakim, and Kiryat Gat were selected for comparisons because they are Negev development towns and thus especially comparable to Jewish communities in the territories.]

* Funding of Local Town Councils: Comparing the amount of government funding for the local town councils in Negev development towns to those in territories: the government contributes the equivalent of 4,180 shekels per
resident to the Town Council of Mitzpeh Ramon; 4,020 shekels per resident to the Town Council of Yerucham, and 2, 730 shekels per resident to the Town Council of Netivot (three Negev towns)—as compared to 3,250 shekels per resident to the Town Council of Efrat, 2,900 shekels per resident to the Town Council of Alfei Menashe, and 2,680 shekels per resident to the Town Council of Har Adar (three towns in the territories).

Samples of other towns within the 1967 borders: the Town Council of Menachamiah receives 6,530 shekels per resident, the Town Council of Metullah receives 6,120 shekels per resident, and the Town Council of Yesod Hama’aleh receives 5,010 shekels per resident.

* Funding of Regional Councils: Comparing the funding given to Regional Councils: In the Negev region of pre-1967 Israel, the Mid-Arava Regional Council receives 7,190 shekels per resident, the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional council receives 6,120 shekels per resident, and the Eilot Strip Regional Council receives 4,670 shekels per resident—while in the territories, the Etzion Bloc Regional Council receives 5,040 shekels per resident, the Shomron Regional Council receives 4,670 shekels per resident, and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council receives 4,380 per resident.