A historic agreement expanding Umm al-Fahm was set for approval, but the people of a neighboring Jewish community say the kilometer-wide strip will enhance their security – at the expense of families' dream homes

 by Deiaa haj Yahia         21 August 2025               Haaretz

The designated buffer zone in Umm al-Fahm.Credit: Rami Shllush; Artwork: Aron Ehrl

In the Arab Israeli city of Umm Al-Fahm, children are playing between buildings near the Jewish Israeli community of Moshav Mei Ami. In one yard, a sign begins with the Arab greeting Ahlan wa sahlan and continues: "This house will not be torn down." 

The sign represents a threat to the dreams of many people in this city of 60,000 near the northwest corner of the West Bank. A construction plan that would cater to thousands has been overhauled.

The plan was the first of its kind between an Arab Israeli city, the Construction and Housing Ministry and the Israel Land Authority.

Thousands of new apartments were to be built in Umm al-Fahm, along with schools, clinics, culture centers and parks covering around 2,600 dunams (640 acres). The agreement was signed in 2017 and last year was heading for final approval.

But during a meeting of the National Planning and Building Council, the Defense Ministry suddenly argued that the plan needed an 80-meter-wide, 1-kilometer-long (0.6 mile) buffer zone separating the city from Moshav Mei Ami, an agricultural community. According to the Defense Ministry, this was for the safety of local residents and people driving on nearby Route 6536, which it wanted to be "a safe, accessible route for both security forces and civilian traffic in case of a security incident." 

Protests by shocked residents failed, and in recent weeks, objections have been filed by the municipality and property owners in the city. They say the buffer zone will mean hundreds fewer apartments in the plan, and the cancellation of planned schools and health facilities.

Houses in the designated zone last week. Objections have been filed by the municipality and property owners. Credit: Rami Shllush

In addition, dozens of buildings and houses currently in the area envisioned for the buffer zone could be expropriated and demolished. The municipality says there are 25 such buildings, home to dozens of families. 

"My property was in the final-approval stage for a permit, and now it's in the plan as open space," local resident Ahmed Jabarin says. "I'm going to have to fight to stay on land I inherited from my grandfather." 

ALLEGATIONS OF LAND THEFT

For 18 years, 64-year-old Mohammed Hussein Mahamid has been living in what is now the proposed buffer zone. Early on, he lived in a small house; then, with his own hands, and without a permit, he built a larger house for his family. 

"I was one of the first people to build here," he says. "A lot of people wanted to build here, but they were afraid it would be torn down. We tried everything to get construction permits." 

This is a racist political plan. Our relations with Mei Ami's residents are all right; we've been living for decades next to each other without anybody hurting anybody.

Mohammed Hussein Mahamid of Umm al-Fahm 

Mahamid decided to build only after despairing – he hoped the house would be included in the historic agreement, earning him a permit retroactively. A few dozen others did the same and are now left with nothing – no permit and no agreement. The municipality is now striving to win them permits before an impregnable cement wall goes up. 

"Anybody who can get a permit shouldn't wait. Approach the local committee and initiate the process," says Mayor Samir Sobhi Mahamid "Our vision is clear. We want a planned, orderly city that would ... protect the people's legal rights and prevent threats of demolition, fines or the withdrawal of services."

Mohammed Hussein Mahamid. "We tried everything to get construction permits," he says. Credit: Rami Shllush

But Mohammed Mahamid is troubled not just by the practical aspect. He accuses the authorities of institutional racism, arguing that the plan reflects a policy of stealing Arab Israeli communities' land. 

"Instead of a solution to the housing shortage, we got more restrictions and a reduction of public spaces," he says. "This is a racist political plan. Our relations with Mei Ami's residents are all right; we've been living for decades next to each other without anybody hurting anybody. What happened now? This is just politics and racism intended to steal more land from us." 

After October 7, this need came into sharp focus. I have good relations with Umm al-Fahm residents; I go shopping and have friends there. But our security is also important.

A resident of Moshav Mei Ami

The mayor agrees. "These are decisions made under pressure that really have nothing to do with security," he says. "These are decisions made without finding out whether this buffer zone is even needed – and without giving thought to minimizing the harm to the local people." 

According to Adham Jabarin, a member of the city council, "For security we need equality and social justice; planning justice. We've been living with Mei Ami for decades. What has changed now? Why should we in Umm al-Fahm pull back 80 meters while they build on the perimeter?" 

THE SHADOW OF MAY 2021

The people of Moshav Mei Ami don't necessarily agree, and they reject the accusations of institutional racism. One resident, who requested anonymity, says he doesn't agree with the travails imposed on the people of Umm al-Fahm, but he also believes that a buffer zone is necessary. 

He says that during the interethnic violence of May 2021, there were attempts to tear down the fence between the two communities, and rocks were thrown at Mei Ami. 

"After October 7, this need came into sharp focus," he says. "I have good relations with Umm al-Fahm residents; I go shopping and have friends there. But this plan shouldn't harm our relations, because our security is also important."

Adham Jabarin pointing to a sign at Umm al-Fahm that reads: "Real neighbors build hope; we choose to be neighbors in justice and equality." Credit: Rami Shllush

He adds that even though he is "certain that the vast majority of Umm al-Fahm residents don't intend to harm Mei Ami residents, you never know if there's a handful of extremists. This is for all of us, not just for the people of Mei Ami. I hope they agree on a mutually acceptable outline that won't infringe on the rights of the people of Umm al-Fahm." 

If such an outline exists, it's not the one currently on tap. So the people of Umm al-Fahm have taken their protest to social media and spoke at deliberations this month at the Construction and Housing Ministry. 

They want people from the neighborhood to help craft a new plan, which would recognize existing structures and expand services to meet the needs of a growing population. "If we don't raise our voices now, we'll lose dozens more precious dunams," says an activist who took part in the debate

Umm al-Fahm. Jabarin asks: "Why should we in Umm al-Fahm pull back 80 meters while they build on the perimeter?" Credit: Rami Shllush

If this doesn't work, many residents of the planned buffer zone will be in dire straits. "My property is my only asset," says Na'il Mahamid. "I've worked for years to acquire it, and suddenly they tell me this is going to be an open strip where you can't build, without any real compensation and without knowing what might happen in the future. 

"This isn't security; it's an annulling of our rights. Today this is my land, tomorrow this is my children's land, and if they take it from us, what will we leave them? Nobody talks to us, nobody asks us anything, they just draw lines on the map and say, 'From here on, you have nothing." 

Regarding the accusations of institutional racism, the Mei Ami local council added: "The council views with contempt allegations by the Umm al-Fahm municipality of racism. The council believes that every planning procedure must take into account all relevant elements and, within the necessary balance, preserve the safety and security of all residents affected by the plan. 

"Representatives of the Umm al-Fahm municipality did not attend a professional debate on their plan. Their intention was just to check the box for attempted negotiations, rather than to truly negotiate."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related Articles

• An Israeli Arab city hopes to be a tourist spot for everyone, Jews included Sheren Falah Saab
• In Israel, every time I stop at a gas station or store, I'm at risk of being shot Sheren Falah Saab
• For Arab Israelis, even wartime patriotism is not a shield from unvarnished racism Allison Kaplan Sommer