New Arab city nears creation, as ministers okay planning committtee

The Cabinet voted on Sunday to form a ministerial committee to focus on the establishment of a new Arab city in the Galilee.

The committee, which would be under the auspices of the Interior Ministry, will deliberate on proposals brought before it regarding the establishment of the city and its characteristics.

If the city is established, it will be the first new Arab city since the birth of the State of Israel in 1948 - save permanent housing projects developed for Bedouins in the Negev.

There is widespread Arab public support for creating the new city, although some say the government should invest in the development of existing Arab cities rather than building a new one.

The proposal was supported by Arab MKs when Sheetrit initially made it public in February.

Science, Culture and Sport Minister Ghaleb Majadele (Labor) said the decision demonstrated the government's recognition of the Arab population's equal rights, and hoped it would strengthen Israeli Arabs' sense of belonging to the country.

Sheetrit had compared the project to the establishment of other new cities around the world: "The aim is a modern city that any young couple will be able to buy a house in and live there, as in any other modern city in the world."