Nazareth's Appointed Committee Criticized for Neglecting Services Amidst Increased Fees
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
An appointed committee managing Nazareth for 18 months is criticized for failing to improve services, address waste management issues costing 30 million shekels, or prepare for winter rains, leading to school closures. While fees have increased, residents question the committee's effectiveness and the Ministry of Interior's oversight, suggesting the committee acts more like a collection agency than a municipal administration.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Nazareth's appointed committee is criticized for neglecting services and worsening conditions after 18 months in charge.
- Accumulated waste requires 30 million shekels for removal, funds the committee has not secured.
- Winter rains caused unprecedented flooding at Al-Qal'a school, endangering students.
- Residents face increased fees while essential services remain lacking.
- The committee's performance is deemed disappointing, raising questions about its ability to govern.
- Critics question if the committee functions as a municipality or a fee collection agency.
An appointed committee has been managing the municipality of Nazareth for approximately a year and a half, since June 2025. However, residents report no tangible improvement in essential services, with conditions worsening and public spaces remaining in disrepair. Environmental issues, particularly accumulated waste, are a major concern, with estimates suggesting 30 million shekels are needed for its removal. The committee, led by its head Yaakov Ifrati and director-general, has reportedly failed to secure these funds from the Ministry of Interior.
The onset of winter exposed further failures, as unprecedented flooding at Al-Qal'a school endangered children, forcing them to be sent home. This situation has caused parental anxiety about school safety during rainy weather, a problem not seen in over forty years. In contrast to the lack of services, citizens are facing significantly increased fees and long queues to pay them.
The article questions why the burden of addressing the municipality's financial deficit falls solely on residents, highlighting the Ministry of Interior's responsibility for oversight. It argues that the ministry shares responsibility for the city's accumulated failures, as Nazareth falls under its jurisdiction.
Internal administrative issues are also reported, including power struggles and disagreements between the committee leadership and senior Nazareth-based employees. Allegations of a municipal employee making disparaging remarks about Nazareth residents, calling them uncivilized and lacking culture, have surfaced, which the article condemns as arrogant and unacceptable.
The committee's performance is described as disappointing, failing to meet professional expectations. The article poses direct questions about the committee's capability to resolve Nazareth's crisis, the services residents can expect and when, and suggests returning control to the Ministry of Interior if the committee is unable to fulfill its duties. The author concludes by questioning whether the committee functions as a municipal administration or a fee collection agency, asserting that Nazareth deserves a service-oriented municipality, not one focused solely on collecting money.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
