Rivlin calls for construction of new Arab city

In ‘bridge-building’ meet with municipal leaders, president establishes working teams for Arab community’s problems

By Lazar Berman

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5 February 2015, 9:14 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

President Reuven Rivlin meets with Arab municipal and regional heads, February 5, 2015 (photo credit: MARK NEYMAN/GPO)

President Reuven Rivlin expressed Thursday his desire to see a new Arab city founded in Israel.

Speaking to 50 municipal and regional council leaders from the Arab community at his official residence, Rivlin also said the integration of Arabic language instruction in Israeli schools must be deepened.

The President’s Residence would serve as an address for the Arab community to place problems on the national agenda, he promised.

“At the President’s Residence, teams will be on hand to help you and take care of any problems that will arise,” Rivlin said during the meeting. “I cannot promise that I’ll be a successful contractor for this, but we all have children and we need to act for their future.”

According to a statement released by Rivlin’s office, the municipal heads emphasized their desire for greater integration into Israeli society, and for increased development in Arab communities.

A working group, managed by the President’s Office, will be created to examine solutions for the issues raised in the meeting.

“We won’t get anywhere if we’re not convinced that we are sailing on the same boat and the hole below where I sit is endangering everyone on the boat,” remarked Shfaram Mayor Amin Anabtawi.

Some mayors raised the issue of rampant violence in their communities. “We are dealing with criminal terrorism,” said Taibe Mayor Abed Elhaii Mamun. “Dozens of cold-blooded killers live among us and we are waiting for the next victim to turn up. This is the responsibility of the state and the police — as municipal leaders, our hands are tied.”

The death of eight Bedouin women from the Negev town of Hura in a bus crash Tuesday took up part of the conversation.

“I want to express to you my deepest condolences to the bereaved families from Hura, who lost their loved ones in the tragic vehicle collision this week,” said Rivlin.

Rivlin said he was confident that the new government set to be formed after the March 17 elections would address the issues raised in the meeting.

The gathering was a “bridge,” Rivlin said, which emphasized “that we were meant to live together, and if we understand that that is where our future is – we will succeed.”