Conclusion
Participation and representation are especially relevant when zoning
and planning involves indigenous communities or minorities. However,
Israel, through the Planning and Building Law, seems to disregard such
internationally recognized standards within its planning system when it
comes to its Palestinian citizens. The law does not ensure representation
for the Palestinian citizens in the decision-making process and in developing
the Master Plans, which severely undermines their ability to include their
needs and visions in the planning. Moreover, Israel’s few initiatives for local
outline plans in Palestinian localities did not provide a satisfactory response
in terms of housing needs, population growth, limited land reserves and lack
of planning flexibility.
The Israeli zoning and planning policies and practices discriminate between
the Palestinian and Jewish-Israeli citizens in many aspects of planning and
building, as well in allocation of land. The huge differences in quality of life
between the communities raise serious questions regarding the principles of
equality and fairness. In addition, Israeli National Master Plans consistently
created a situation delimiting the future development of Palestinian villages
and towns, by not respecting the principle of proportionality. The vast
designations of lands around the Palestinian localities for forests, highways or
natural reserves, which further limits possible development of the affected
areas seem to be unreasonable, mainly in the context of which the Palestinian
towns and villages are being subjected to.
The evolution of zoning and planning policies towards the Palestinian citizens
of Israel portray a clear pattern of consistent ideological drive to Judaize Israeli
cities and towns. Starting with displacement and mass land confiscations in
the 1950s, accompanied with zoning and planning practices causing serious
limitations on development and housing since the 1960s, lead to unbearable
conditions of living. This is so particularly in areas where the basic needs of
the Palestinian citizens of Israel are being marginalized, as it is the case in the
unrecognized Palestinian villages in the Naqab.
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