Israel Launches ‘Gap Year’ To Boost Arab Youth Employment

Israel has unveiled a new initiative, named “Gap Year,” aimed at bolstering the integration of young Arab Israelis into the nation’s job market. This announcement was made by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality in collaboration with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. With a substantial budget of 100 million shekels (approximately $28 million), the program is designed to address unemployment and reduce disparities within Arab society.

The Gap Year plan will offer a comprehensive package to Arab Israeli youth, focusing on personal development, soft skills, professional guidance, and academic preparation. It will be implemented in 11 Arab cities and towns across Israel and involves an initial four-month period of general activities. Participants will then select a specific professional track for further advancement.

Official data from the Israeli Bureau of Statistics highlighted the unemployment rate in Arab society at 5.1% in September, significantly higher than the overall workforce rate of 3.7%. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, this gap has widened, with 15.6% of employed Arabs absent from their jobs, compared to 9.7% in the general workforce.