Israel COURTESY

A bird’s eye view of Kfar Bara, a thriving Muslim Arab community in central with some 3,000 residents Kfar Bara leads the way A town that shines among Israeli-Arab localities

By Ruth Wasserman Lande

KFAR BARA (or Kafr Bara in ) is popularity among the Arab population in a relatively strong sense of collective respon- not one of the most beautiful spots in Israel, Israel on the one hand, and the Israeli estab- sibility, given the high number of university nor is it the most interesting historically. It is lishment on the other, makes this small, yet graduates and high level of education, there- not a very large locality, nor is it culturally prominent venue worthy of closer study. by creating a general unique atmosphere of diverse or multifaceted. However, Kfar Bara In general, Arab-Israelis look upon this law and order. is wonderfully situated in the very center of locality as the Arab equivalent of , a Like the general Arab population in Israel, the country, amidst a myriad of primarily posh and expensive town of Jewish inhabi- the vast majority of Kfar Bara’s inhabitants Jewish cities, including Rosh Ha’ayin and tants near Israel’s international airport. are young. In fact, approximately 80% of the . Two of the main reasons for this are first- villagers are under the age of 50. Interesting- Historically, with the establishment of the ly, that its inhabitants are considered as the ly, this reality affects the results of municipal State of Israel, the Green Line divided the “high society” of Muslim Arab-Israelis in the elections in Arab localities, despite the still Israeli Kfar Bara from its Jordanian counter- geographical center of Israel, and secondly, entrenched Hamullah system based on fam- part at the time, creating a situation in which that aesthetically, the village is well-planned ily-affiliated voting. More and more, one can many of the families remaining in Israel have and attractive to look at. In stark contrast to see the young majority striving for change, relatives in what today is territory controlled the vast majority of Arab localities through- education, a higher standard of living and in- by the Palestinian Authority. out the country, in which urban planning was novation. This is a long-term process, which Kfar Bara is characterized by a homoge- not carried out by the Israeli government will take some years to come to fruition, yet neous population of 100% Muslim Arabs and until very recently, this village’s urban plan it has certainly sewn its first seeds. has enjoyed relative electoral stability and was set and authorized from the start in the One of the fruits of the aforementioned strong local leadership for the last 15-odd mid-1960s. quest for innovation and modernity evident years. That, alone, allows it to shine amidst Following this seemingly minor detail, no in Kfar Bara is a very interesting shift from a its fellow Arab localities in Israel, given the serious illegal construction took place amidst former perception of shame concerning any- stable leadership of Mayor Mahmoud Assi. is populace, thereby lending the venue an or- thing to do with disabled children to a much The continuity of long-term, strategic initia- ganized, planned and aesthetic façade. The more mature and modern concept allowing tives in the village, as well as Mahmood’s 3,000-strong community is characterized by families to be open and even proud of their

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autistic children. This awakening flowered into quite an astounding and unique region- al school for autistic children, which allows kids, ranging in ages from 7-13 from all local governments in the area, to be schooled and groomed in Kfar Bara. The way this estab- lishment, supported by the Education Minis- try and the local leadership, is being led is in fact testament to the relatively high personal and educational level of the inhabitants of Kfar Bara. Their ability to embrace such an institution and proudly display it as an asset A school outing of the Kfar Bara School for Autistic Children is key to its success. Another fruit of the innovative and open-minded leadership, further reflecting modated to living in apartment buildings, but the openness of the community- is a new rather in villas on the ground. Given the sore “Innovative” Middle and High-school com- lack of land in the country, it is imperative to COURTESY pound which is currently being planned by begin to introduce high-rise buildings in the the local leadership, together with the Edu- Arab sector too and few are the municipal cation Ministry. This innovative compound is leaders who are courageous enough to take only one of two such initiatives, funded by on this bold endeavor. Kfar Bara has already the Israeli government in Arab cities/towns won a tender for the construction of approx- throughout the country and that is, despite the imately 300 apartment units within its area fact that Kfar Bara is such a small locality. of jurisdiction, thereby joining the very few Arab municipalities that were willing to em- THE COMPOUND shall introduce a unique brace this initiative. and quite astounding method of art and music In order to enhance the strategic road-map as a mechanism to encourage learning and of Kfar Bara’s leadership, it has been decid- excellence. More interestingly, it will com- ed that the municipality will also promote municate with the aforementioned regional the establishment of a sustainable engine of school for autistic children in a way which growth, in the form of a commercial center. will enhance leadership skills amidst the pu- This endeavor shall not only be part and par- pils. Middle and High school pupils in the cel of the private sector, providing employ- Kfar Bara Mayor Mahmoud Assi new compound shall be made mentors for the ment to a significant number of local inhabi- autistic children, who will also- in turn- lend tants, but it will also serve to promote social despite endless political strife and adversity their “mentors” much perspective. This is an entrepreneurship, in that this commercial from the local inhabitants. endeavor which requires much involvement center shall provide services to the elderly, Over time, the mayor’s vision of providing and long-term support from the local govern- and offer employment opportunities for the sustainable environmental solutions, which ment, and would not have been made possible disabled inhabitants of the entire region. may also provide income for the local gov- without the determination and commitment Finally, the municipality, along with the ernment, finally won over his adversaries on thereof. In fact, a special pedagogical adviser Economy Ministry, is promoting the estab- the matter. has been recruited by the municipality for this lishment of another major sustainable source As chairman of the regional environmental purpose, Hanan Khatib Drawshe, who will be of income- namely, an industrial park, which association of cities, including Kfar Kassem, instrumental in the creation of only two such shall diversify employment opportunities Kfar Bara, Tira and Kalansawa and mayor projects in Arab localities in Israel. for local and nearby inhabitants and also of his own Kfar Bara (being reelected three In fact, Kfar Bara’s leadership role does not strengthen the municipality’s income via times), Assi, who refuses to echo empty man- end with educational and cultural initiatives. business taxes. Adjacent to this park, a con- tras and is adamant to stand by his values, is a It is well known that the majority of the Arab struction waste disposal and recycling plant figure to be reckoned with in the Arab-Israeli population in Israel is not culturally accom- has been established by the municipality, arena. ■

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