The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) held a specialized workshop to discuss the challenges facing local government units (LGUs), propose effective solutions, shape a collective vision for the future of local governance, identify mechanisms to expand decentralization and empower LGUs; ultimately improving the quality of services delivered to citizens. It was organized in accordance with the Palestinian Cabinet's decision, as part of an effort to strengthen the partnership between the government and LGUs and to advance the local governance sector.
The workshop, held in Ramallah, was attended by key officials, including the Minister of Local Governance, Dr. Sami Hijjawi; the Minister of Interior, General Ziad Hab al-Reeh; the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Wael Zaqqout; the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek; the Accountant General of the Ministry of Finance, Muhammad Rabie; the General Manager of the Municipal Development & Lending Fund, Mohammad Ramahi; the President of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, Abdulkarim az-Zubeidi, along with Executive Committee members; and the Director of the Net Lending Unit at the Ministry of Finance, Majdi Al-Hassan.
APLA President, Abdul Karim az-Zubeidi, emphasized the unwavering commitment of LGUs to their pivotal role in serving citizens and safeguarding the Palestinian National Project. He highlighted that LGUs have consistently been at the forefront of delivering essential services and fostering civil peace. However, Zubeidi expressed concern over the severe challenges LGUs now face, which threaten their sustainability. These challenges are the result of exceptional circumstances, further compounded by the ongoing occupation policies over the past year and the resulting crippling financial crisis.
Zubeidi warned that the current situation poses a serious risk to the collapse of the entire local governance sector, particularly as LGUs’ powers continues to be undermined by persistent central government interventions and the stripping away of their legally mandated powers. He called for urgent action to promote decentralization as a critical solution to these challenges, emphasizing the need to reduce central interference to allow LGUs to operate effectively. Zubeidi also underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation between LGUs and the government to develop a more robust financial transfer mechanism and implement strategic solutions to address these complications.
APLA Vice President, Anton Salman, highlighted the most pressing challenges facing LGUs, with the most significant being the deepening financial crisis, the erosion of their legal authority, and the challenges in collaborating with government institutions. Salman urged immediate action to address these issues by reinforcing the partnership between the government and LGUs, ensuring the provision of essential financial resources, safeguarding and enhancing the powers and competencies of LGUs, in a way that ensures their support in providing better services to citizens.
The ministers participating in the meeting underscored the vital role of the local government sector, particularly LGUs, as key partners in supporting the government by shouldering the responsibility of providing essential services under the difficult circumstances faced by the Palestinian people, as Israel’s aggression continues in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They emphasized the importance of sustained coordination between the government and LGUs to ensure a timely and effective response to these challenges. This aligns with the government's efforts to adopt policies that support LGUs in overcoming financial and regulatory obstacles hindering their work.
Following a detailed review of the critical challenges and complexities threatening the collapse of the local government system, all parties acknowledged the need for joint cooperation. The focus was placed on advancing decentralization as a crucial solution to these challenges, minimizing central interventions to allow LGUs to operate more effectively, and strengthening cooperation between LGUs and the government to develop a financial transfer system and implement strategic measures to address the ongoing issues.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Hijjawi confirmed that the recommendations agreed upon would be submitted to the Palestinian Cabinet for consideration and action. Additionally, the Ministry will review relevant laws and regulations, particularly the Local Council Elections Act, with the aim of strengthening the functioning of these LGUs.
