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The Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. (Yoav Stern)
Last update - 15:06 15/07/2007
Report: Arab representation in building planning too low
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent

Representation of Arabs in national building and planning committees is disproportionate to their numbers in the Israeli population, according to a report released by Israeli and Arab non-profit organizations.

Knesset members Hana Sawid of Hadash and Ophir Pines-Paz of Labor will present recommended amendments to building and planning laws before the Parliamentary Legislative Committee on Sunday, aimed at correcting the imbalance.

The amendments aim to legally obligate building and planning committees to elect a number of Arab representatives proportionate to the Arab population in their region.

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The Prime Minister's Office has appointed one Arab representative out of 45.

A report compiled by three bodies: Bimkom, a Jerusalem-based association of architects, the Arabic Center for Alternative Planning, and the Abraham Fund Initiatives. The report indicated that Arab representation in national planning and building committees was around 6 percent, whereas Arabs comprise close to 20 percent of Israel's population.

The report also showed Arabs were not represented at all in national infrastructure planning committees.

Spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, Sabine Hadad, said the report did not reflect reality, and that Arabs are represented on national planning and building committees, including infrastructure planning committees.

She stressed that the Interior Ministry does not appoint representatives, rather that each ministry appoints its own.

The legislative amendments presented Sunday by MKs Pines-Paz and Sawid would place the responsibility for proportionate Arab representation on the Interior Ministry.

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