Israel Allocates 40 Million Shekels for Arab Localities' Transport Planning Amid Funding Concerns

The Israeli Ministry of Transportation has announced a groundbreaking initiative to allocate 40 million shekels for independent transportation planning in Arab local authorities. This funding aims to empower these municipalities to design projects that improve access to employment and education, marking a significant shift from previous centralized planning dominated by government companies. The call for proposals allows Arab localities to initiate and fully fund the planning phase of at least 40 local projects, focusing on safety near educational institutions, public transport enhancement, and better connectivity between neighborhoods and main traffic routes.

This move follows advocacy by the NGO Sikkuy-Ofok and the Arab Local Authorities Heads Committee, who have long demanded tailored infrastructure solutions. However, the funding currently covers only planning stages, with no dedicated budgets for project execution, raising concerns that plans may remain unimplemented. Local leaders emphasize the chronic underfunding of infrastructure in Arab communities, highlighting persistent issues such as flooding, poor underground infrastructure, and unsafe roads, especially during winter.

Leaders like Kafr Qara's Mayor, Attorney Faras Badahi, stress the need for a strategic multi-year plan backed by substantial budgets rather than fragmented, insufficient allocations. The Arab Local Authorities Heads Committee warns that many approved projects are frozen due to lack of execution funds, questioning the value of adding new plans without clear implementation pathways. Public transport officials in Umm al-Fahm also note the gap between planning and execution, with only a fraction of planned bus stations funded.

The lack of internal infrastructure, including sidewalks and bus stops, forces heavy reliance on private vehicles, contributing to disproportionately high road fatalities among Arab citizens. The recent opening of two new train stations in Tira and Tayibe under the Eastern Railway project exemplifies this disconnect, as local bus services have not been adjusted to connect neighborhoods to the stations.

The Ministry of Transportation describes the initiative as a historic step to reduce transportation disparities in minority communities. It plans to review the completed plans and consider funding execution phases based on needs and budget availability. Nonetheless, experts acknowledge that bridging decades of infrastructure gaps will require billions of shekels and sustained commitment beyond initial planning funds.