The Israeli government approved today, Sunday, a five-year plan worth 3.2 billion shekels (843 million dollars) for the development of East Jerusalem, after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich froze the funds in protest against funding a preparatory university program for Arab students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The funds from the plan will be allocated for infrastructure development, housing, healthcare, and education, among other areas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a live statement after today's cabinet meeting, "This decision will change the face of Jerusalem," adding that "we are unifying Jerusalem."

The implementation of the plan was postponed for two months by Smotrich, who sought to reallocate 200 million shekels from the academic program, citing an alleged presence of "extremist Islamic cells."

Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, recently stated that he would not release an additional 200 million shekels intended for development in Arab municipalities, claiming that the funds would go to organized crime groups or be used to support terrorism.

The funds, which were intended to enhance the economy and develop infrastructure and combat crime in Arab communities across the country, had been approved by the previous government, which included the Islamic Labor Party alongside left, center, and right parties.

Leaders of Arab municipalities called for a general strike tomorrow in protest against the freeze on funding, as local authorities announced today that they would organize a two-hour warning strike in solidarity.