In the presence of representatives from donor and partner organizations, the Shabtin Village Council inaugurated the new public park in the village. As a development intervention of the Sustainable Development through Improved Local Governance (SDLG) program, the project was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and implemented by VNG International. The project is part of the Sub-grant Initiative managed by the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) with funding from the European Union, and contributions from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism. This intervention aims to strengthen community infrastructure and expand public spaces in Area C.
During the opening ceremony, Ibrahim Dar Zeid, Head of the Shabtin Village Council, expressed his thanks to the donors and partners who contributed to the project implementation. He stressed that the park was a direct response to an urgent community need, providing a safe public space that serves all residents. Dar Zeid explained that the project design highlighted the village’s natural and historical character through the restoration of a heritage well and preservation of centuries-old trees, reflecting a clear commitment to sustainable resource management and environmental conservation. These elements are integrated into a comprehensive design that includes seating areas, safe playgrounds for children, and a fully equipped cafeteria, creating an inclusive community space that fosters social interaction, supports local tourism, and provides employment opportunities for residents during both construction and operation phases.
APLA President, Abdul Karim al-Zubeidi, affirmed that the inauguration of the park in Shabtin “goes beyond a routine development intervention.” It serves as a concrete model of civil resistance and a political message that local government units (LGUs) are capable of defending the land through development tools. Al-Zubeidi added that APLA, through the Sub-grant Initiative, does not deliver prepackaged projects. Rather, it provides a framework that empowers village councils to lead their interventions based on their own priorities and realities, with full community ownership. He stressed that projects in Area C were part and parcel of a national strategy to protect Palestinian presence and confront policies of displacement and depopulation, especially amid restrictions on planning, financing, and infrastructure. Al-Zubeidi concluded that local development in these areas was no longer an option, but an urgent national necessity in the struggle to defend land, rights, and identity.
In the same context, His Excellency Michiel Renckens, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Palestine, highlighted the importance of supporting local communities and enabling them to withstand political and economic challenges. He noted that partnership with Palestinian LGUs constituted a strategic dimension of his country’s development policy, particularly in intricate contexts such as Area C. Renckens commended the participatory model embodied by this project, which reflected mutual trust and respect for the role of local actors.
His Excellency Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani al-Hayek, emphasized that such integrated community projects were not limited to environmental or recreational dimensions, but also supported local tourism by rejuvenating the village’s natural and heritage assets. These assets, Al-Hayek explained, can be leveraged as economic and social drivers that strengthen attachment to place and reflect national identity.
Closing the ceremony, His Excellency Minister of Local Government, Dr. Sami Hajjawi, reiterated the Palestinian government’s commitment to supporting balanced development across all regions, particularly Area C, which faces severe planning and development restrictions. Hajjawi described the project as an effective model of complementarity among official institutions, LGUs, and international partners. It enhances citizens’ trust in their institutions’ ability to deliver services and improve quality of life.
The new park is a pioneering intervention that serves eight population centers, namely, Shabtin, Shuqba, Qibya, Budrus, Kharbatha Bani Harith, Deir Qaddis, Al-Midya, and Ni’lin. It stands as an advanced model of community development in a marginalized and planning-constrained setting, achieved through a strategic partnership between LGUs, APLA, and international donors. The project demonstrates the value of integrated action in strengthening resilience and consolidating Palestinian presence.
