Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday signed off on a plan to invest $215 million in 10 Israeli Arab towns over the next five years.

The plan, put forward by Israel's Ministry for Minority Affairs, will see significant upgrades in infrastructure, transportation and building development, as well as investment in occupational development.

Minister for Minority Affairs Avishay Braverman said the plan was evidence that rather than oppress its minorities, as many claim, "Israel's government sees the importance of giving equal civil rights to Israeli Arabs."

The towns chosen for the project are Nazareth, Shfaram, Sakhnin, Umm al-Fahm, Qalansuwa, Maghar, Tamra, Tira, Kfar Kassem and Rahat.