The Ministerial Committee for Arab Society Affairs approved on Monday a special development plan for the village of Jisr az-Zarqa, allocating NIS 200 million to improve various sectors, in response to a demand by the United Arab List (Ra’am).

Commenting on the decision, Ra’am parliamentary faction chairman MK Walid Taha, who oversaw the plan throughout its development, said:

“More than a year ago, together with Jisr az-Zarqa Local Council Head Sheikh Murad Ammash, we began working on this comprehensive plan. We followed it closely with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Authority for the Economic Development of the Arab Society, and several government ministries through numerous professional meetings and field visits to the village. Today, our efforts have been rewarded with the ministerial committee’s approval of a NIS 200 million plan that will contribute to the village’s development in education, housing and planning, welfare and social services, commerce, industry, and many other areas.”

He added that they would continue working with the relevant authorities and the local council to ensure the plan is fully implemented for the benefit of all residents of Jisr az-Zarqa.

MK Walid Taha also stated:

“We remain committed to serving our Arab communities, securing our rights, and improving our quality of life in every field.”

A statement from Yesh Atid said that the Ministerial Committee for Arab Society Affairs approved a proposal by Minister of Social Equality Merav Cohen to establish a dedicated government plan for Jisr az-Zarqa. The initiative aims to improve the quality of life in one of Israel’s poorest villages, which has suffered for many years from crime and neglect.

In addition to the government’s five-year plan for Arab society, Jisr az-Zarqa will receive a dedicated multi-year development program designed to address the village’s unique challenges. The program will focus on strengthening the local authority and improving residents’ quality of life through investments in employment and industry, education, welfare, healthcare, and tourism.

The initiative is part of Government Resolution 550 for the development of Arab society. The Economic Development Authority at the Ministry of Social Equality prepared a comprehensive economic development plan tailored to Jisr az-Zarqa’s specific challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and high mortality rates, while also capitalizing on the village’s unique opportunities as the only Arab local authority located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

Key components of the program include:

• Development of the fishermen’s village.
• Construction and renovation of classrooms and educational facilities.
• A comprehensive healthcare program.
• Improvement of public transportation within the village.
• Establishment of employment centers.
• Strengthening welfare and social services.
• Expansion of programs to combat violence and crime.
• Establishment of a municipal policing system.
• Upgrading infrastructure.

The government-approved budget totals NIS 200 million, including:

• NIS 30 million in additional funding from various government ministries.
• NIS 40 million allocated to Jisr az-Zarqa under Government Resolution 550.
• NIS 125 million from existing five-year development plan resources.

In a statement, Minister of Social Equality Merav Cohen said:

“After visiting Jisr az-Zarqa, it is impossible to remain indifferent. Rising violence and crime, increasing disease rates, school dropout, children in the streets, and many other challenges demand action. The decision we approved today is highly significant and marks an important milestone in the work carried out over the past year to improve the quality of life in Jisr az-Zarqa. It provides solutions across many sectors, and I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to serving all the country’s citizens.”

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