On December 12, 2024, the Mossawa Center, in cooperation with the National Committee for Arab Heads of Local Authorities and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, will host its annual socio-economic development conference for the Palestinian Arab community in Israel. This event, a tradition since 1999, will take place at the Ramada Hotel in Nazareth and bring together key local and national figures influential in the economic development of the Arab community in Israel.

The conference will focus on critical issues of housing, industry, and financing—areas that continue to hinder the economic and social growth of Palestinian Arab towns and communities. Since the adoption of Government Decision 550 in October 2021, which committed the Israeli government to allocate 5.5 billion shekels ($1.6 billion) annually for Palestinian Arab development, progress has stalled due to political instability and the rise of a radical-right government. As a result, Palestinian Arab local authorities and residents remain in limbo, waiting for essential budgets to materialize.

Jafar Farah, Director of the Mossawa Center, highlighted the pressing themes of the conference, stating that it will address burning challenges in housing, industrial development, and financing. Housing and planning issues have emerged as the most significant barriers to economic development in recent years. The conference will delve into structural maps, urban expansion projects, and the bureaucratic delays in approving district and national maps. It will also explore the challenges faced by private landowners in licensing and building homes, the state of rapid construction initiatives (Vatmal), parcel projects, and discounted apartment schemes.

The conference will examine the roles and responsibilities of key players, including the Israel Land Authority, local and district planning committees, government ministries, Knesset members, and civil society organizations. Proposals and solutions will be presented in a demand paper, outlining actionable steps to overcome these challenges.

Additionally, the event will focus on the development of industrial zones and employment opportunities in Arab towns. This includes discussions on financing housing and industrial projects, addressing the lack of access to loans, and enhancing cooperation between local authorities and private companies.

The Economic Development Conference 2024 will run from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring representatives from government ministries, economists, Arab local authority leaders, and companies involved in construction, industry, and finance. It promises to be a pivotal event, fostering dialogue and generating concrete solutions to advance the economic development of the Palestinian Arab community in Israel.