Arab Urban Planner Denies Secret Takeover Plan for Galilee, Calls for Fair Land Distribution
Following an investigative report by Kol HaYehudi that exposed Professor Rasem Hamaisi's urban planning activities in the Galilee, Hamaisi responded in an interview with Radio Al-Shams. The report portrayed him not only as a city planner but as an architect of a religious and nationalist struggle using state institutions to alter the Galilee's demographic landscape, potentially threatening its Jewish population.
Hamaisi denied any secret agenda or project aimed at taking over the Galilee, stating that all planning efforts are natural expansions of existing Arab towns to meet housing needs. He emphasized his role as an academic and urban planner focused on developing Arab cities and expanding their influence to provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and development opportunities, grounded in principles of fair resource and land allocation.
He described his work as a "project of values and ethics," highlighting the necessity for the Arab community to overcome historical planning discrimination recognized by government committees and official reports. Hamaisi argued that addressing this imbalance should not be perceived as a threat to the Jewish population.
He accused the investigative report of fostering fear of Arabs as part of a broader campaign against the Arab community, which includes negative portrayals in various sectors. Hamaisi warned that such incitement campaigns might cause some officials to hesitate in approving expansions of Arab towns but stressed the importance of continuing to push for new plans and territorial growth.
The controversy centers on the Galilee region and the broader northern area of Israel, where demographic and political tensions persist regarding land use and urban development.
