Two examples of national Master Plans TAMA 31 and TAMA 35, illustrate this exclusion and scarce representation. TAMA 31, which was approved in 1993, did not include a single Palestinian representative in the planning team, the national steering committee or work committee. Moreover, in a relatively recent national Master Plan, TAMA 35, which was approved in 2005, and had among its aims to “develop new planning approaches for the Arab population in Israel [sic.]…”, the same pattern of disregarding the Palestinian community and their representation continued.38 As a result of the Israeli planning and zoning policies, most Palestinian villages and towns are prevented from development, were not integrated in urban planning, and the areas around them were marked as open areas or as pertaining high and sensitive natural scenery.39 National Master Plans ignore the needs of Palestinian citizens in Israel and exclude them from the planning process pivotal for shaping the physical, social and economic space of the state.40 According to the Arab Center for Alternative Planning (ACAP), until 2011, only 6% of the members of the National Planning and Building Committee (NCPB) are Palestinian, while among the members of the National Planning and Building Committee for Infrastructure, there was not a single Palestinian member.41 On the District Committees’ level, in the six district planning committees and divisions, and in the regional council, there is a clear lack of representation of Palestinian citizens. For example, in the Northern District Planning Committee, even though Palestinian citizens comprise almost 50% of the population, only 2 out of 18 members are Palestinians. As a consequence, the Palestinian community is being prevented from voicing its needs, protecting its interests or gaining the tools to achieving them.42 By law, ensuring updated local Master Plans is the duty of the relevant local planning committee and that of the District Committee. Israeli planning authorities constantly fail to meet their duties regarding Palestinian localities in Israel. As of December 2014, 25 Palestinian localities do not have valid building plans at all, and the other 77 localities out of 100, follow seriously outdated Master Plans that were approved 20 years ago.43 38 Hamdan and Jabareen, “A Proposal for Suitable Representation of the Arab Minority in Israel’s National Planning System.” 39 Nasser, Severe Housing Distress and Destruction of Arab Homes: Obstacles and Recommendations for Change. 40 Hamdan and Jabareen, “A Proposal for Suitable Representation of the Arab Minority in Israel’s National Planning System.” 41 http://www.ac-ap.org/ 42 ACAP -The Arab Center for Alternative Planning, A National Address for the Arab Citizens in Israel Regarding Land, Planning, housing, and Evelopment Issues. 43 Nasser, Severe Housing Distress and Destruction of Arab Homes: Obstacles and Recommendations for Change. 17