Finance Minister Accused of Misrepresenting Planning Authority's Role
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently vowed to remove "post-Zionist" officials from the Planning Administration and the Israel Land Authority (ILA), claiming they have stifled Jewish settlement. However, an examination of these bodies reveals their operations are largely dictated by government policy and ministerial directives.
The Planning Administration operates under the Ministry of Interior. Its current director-general, Rafi Almaliach, was appointed in June 2022 by Ayelet Shaked, who was then Interior Minister. Almaliach's predecessor, Dalit Zilber, was appointed in 2018 by Moshe Kahlon, who then served as Finance Minister. Planning decisions are typically approved by district planning committees or the National Infrastructure Planning Committee (Vatmal), whose chairpersons are appointed by the Interior Minister. These committees include representatives from various government ministries, local authorities, the public, and environmental organizations, with decisions made by vote.
Smotrich's assertion that building plans in Arab communities are "anti-Zionist" is also challenged. The Planning Administration and its committees implement government policy, including initiatives to reduce disparities in the Arab community. Government Resolution 922, adopted in December 2015 under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allocated billions of shekels to Arab towns, including for planning. This program, a continuation of efforts dating back to the early 2000s, aimed to address the historical neglect of planning in the Arab sector, which contributed to widespread illegal construction. A follow-up plan was approved in October 2021 by the Bennett government. These planning efforts have enabled high-rise construction in Arab communities for the first time, optimizing land use and reducing encroachment on open spaces.
The Israel Land Authority, also accused by Smotrich of post-Zionist stances, markets state land and is subject to government policy, particularly from the Housing and Finance Ministers. Its current director-general, Yankaleh Koint, was appointed by Yaakov Litzman. The interim director-general, Yehuda Eliyahu, was appointed by Smotrich himself, with the agreement of Housing Minister Haim Katz. Land tenders issued by the ILA are based on plans approved by the Planning Administration. The terms of these tenders, discounts, and target populations are determined by the ILA's governing body, the Israel Land Council, which is chaired by the Housing Minister and includes representatives from the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister's Office, Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, and the Jewish National Fund.
Furthermore, Smotrich's implication of separate planning for Arab and Jewish citizens contradicts democratic principles of equality before the law, suggesting a unified planning system is necessary.
