Arab Towns Paid War's Price, Government Cut 3 Billion Shekels From Plan 550, Says F Sussuta Mayor
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Edgar Dakour, head of F Sussuta Local Council, criticized the Israeli government for cutting 3 billion shekels from economic plan "550" and for the hardships faced by Arab border towns during the war. He noted that over 50% of homes in F Sussuta lack safe rooms and criticized government conditions for shelter construction. Dakour also discussed efforts to unify Arab political parties for elections and urged increased Arab voter turnout, warning that low participation is a "disaster" that endangers civil rights and representation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- F Sussuta Mayor Edgar Dakour criticized the government for cutting 3 billion shekels from economic plan "550".
- Over 50% of homes in F Sussuta lack safe rooms, and border towns faced psychological distress during the war.
- Dakour expressed satisfaction with an "agreement of honor" among Arab election lists to encourage voter turnout.
- He warned that low Arab voter turnout is a "disaster" threatening representation and civil rights.
- Dakour urged raising Arab voter turnout to over 70% to protect citizens' rights and combat discrimination.
Edgar Dakour, head of the F Sussuta Local Council and secretary of the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities, stated that Arab towns have paid a heavy price during the recent war, with the government significantly reducing funding. He revealed that approximately 3 billion shekels were cut from the "550" economic plan, a move he criticized as detrimental to the Arab community. Dakour highlighted the severe challenges faced by border towns, including psychological distress and a lack of safe rooms, noting that over half of F Sussuta's homes lack adequate shelters. He also criticized the government's stringent conditions for building shelters in towns near the border.
In internal F Sussuta politics, Dakour addressed the Ministry of Interior's appointment of an alternative local committee after the budget was not approved, clarifying that the ministry had cleared him of responsibility following an investigation. He also pointed to the council's achievements, including expanding the structural plan and achieving an 87% tax collection rate, while emphasizing his commitment to preserving the town's social fabric.
Dakour discussed efforts to unify Arab parties for the upcoming elections, explaining that disagreements over joining the government coalition prevented a single joint list, leading instead to two lists. Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with an "agreement of honor" among Arab lists to refrain from mutual attacks and focus on encouraging voter turnout.
He strongly criticized the current right-wing government's policies, particularly the budget cuts to economic plans that had previously fostered development in the Arab community. Dakour described dialogue with the current government as "futile" due to ongoing budget and planning restrictions. He warned that low Arab voter turnout, which was below 50% in the last election compared to nearly 80% among Jewish voters, is a "disaster" that threatens Arab representation and the potential formation of a far-right government.
Concluding his remarks, Dakour stressed that voting is a "fateful and national issue" crucial for increasing Arab representation in parliament and combating discrimination, violence, and crime. He stated that heads of local authorities are working to raise voter turnout to over 70% to protect citizens' civil rights.