Arab Community's 5-Year Plan Seeks 60 Billion Shekels, Five Key Conditions
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
The National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities has drafted a five-year plan, "Vision until 2031," demanding 55 to 60 billion shekels for the Arab community. The plan includes five key conditions for implementation, focusing on budget integration, increased local authority powers, and better representation. Mayor Samir Mahamid stated the committee is engaging political parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, to adopt the plan during coalition negotiations. Personal security and crime prevention are highlighted as primary goals.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arab local authorities propose a 5-year plan demanding 55-60 billion shekels for community development.
- The plan requires five key conditions, including budget integration and increased local authority powers.
- Mayor Samir Mahamid is leading efforts to present the plan to political parties for coalition talks.
- Personal security and crime prevention are central demands within the proposed development strategy.
- The plan prioritizes areas with the greatest need, such as the Negev region.
The National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities has developed a comprehensive vision document, "Vision until 2031," outlining the core demands of the Arab community for inclusion in future coalition negotiations. The plan, developed with input from youth, researchers, professionals, and a consulting firm, was presented by Dr. Samir Mahamid, the Mayor of Umm al-Fahm. Mahamid stated that the committee has engaged with various political parties and will continue to do so, urging them to adopt the existing document rather than create new plans. The strategy covers personal security, crime prevention, land use, planning, housing, industrial zones, economy, education from birth to age 24, health, welfare, environment, transportation, emergency preparedness, and local authority development.
Five essential conditions are stipulated for the plan's implementation. These include abolishing the shared funding requirement, particularly for local authorities in socio-economic clusters 1-4; integrating budgets for the Arab community into the state budget to protect them from cuts; adopting a unified plan for the Arab community instead of fragmented programs; transferring more authority to local authorities to make them decision-makers rather than mere implementers of government ministries; and ensuring adequate representation of Arab citizens in decision-making centers, ministries, and senior administrations.
Mahamid emphasized that while a unified plan is crucial, it should not overlook local disparities, prioritizing areas with the greatest need, such as the Negev and Jisr az-Zarqa. The plan is allocated between 55 and 60 billion shekels over five years, approximately 9 to 10 billion shekels annually, which Mahamid argues will also stimulate the Israeli economy.
The committee plans to present the document to Gadi Eisenkot, who is tasked with forming the government, and other political entities willing to listen to Arab demands. Upcoming meetings are scheduled with representatives from the United Arab List, the Joint List, and the Democratic Party. The plan will also be presented at a professional conference in mid-December, with hopes for its adoption by the Center for Local Authorities and its transformation into a practical program with clear government commitments.
Addressing concerns about economic plans amidst ongoing violence, Mahamid stressed that personal security and crime prevention are top priorities within the document and a prerequisite for any future government. He stated that Arab leadership has fulfilled its responsibility in preparing the professional vision and that the onus is now on political parties to seriously consider the document and translate the Arab community's demands into clear coalition commitments.