In its recently published periodic report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that the benefits of Israeli economic growth indicators, which the report describes as “good”, are not equally shared by all citizens. In addition to the Arab citizens who face a

policy of racial discrimination, the OECD report places a special focus on the Haredi Jews, an ultraorthodox community whose members lead a life of voluntary austerity and refrain from participating in the labour market at current domestic and international rates.

In spring 2010, Israel officially joined the OECO after it had pledged to bridge gaps, particularly among Palestinians of the 1948 territory and Haredi Jews. However, the past eight years highlight that Israel has done little for the Arab citizens, who continue to live in extreme poverty. Besides denial of adequate employment opportunities, the Arabs are deprived of many benefits of education and higher education.

The OECD report commends Israel’s economic performance, including the economic growth trajectory since 2000. However, the report warns that broad sectors of the population do not benefit from the economic growth. According to the OECD, the benefits of “good economic conditions” are not equitably distributed among all social groups “despite the fact that gaps have shrunk to a certain extent since 2007”.