About the Initiative

The Palestinian Arab community in Israel lives in a persistent state of economic emergency, driven by systematically unfair national and local policies as well as inefficient and, at times, failed resource management.

This community is further affected by nationwide emergencies, including security, health, and political crises, which worsen economic difficulties. Over time, these challenges build-up, resulting in severe outcomes such as poverty, violence, and crime.

The situation is worsened by the Arab community’s direct dependence on state institutions, which often fail to provide adequate support during crises. The absence of a professional Arab institution dedicated to addressing these challenges intensifies the problem. Such an institution could proactively mitigate the impact of sudden emergencies and work toward long-term solutions to pull the community out of poverty and unemployment, transforming it into a productive and resilient society.

The Arab Economic Forum is steadfastly working toward this ambitious goal. Its mission is to manage human and material resources within the community to achieve sustainable and equitable economic development across all sectors.

In light of the current security chaos – described by the Prime Minister as “anarchy” – the time has come to take the initiative and manage our affairs independently to safeguard our existence as individuals, institutions, and a society.

The Initiative

The Arab Economic Forum previously established an economic and financial emergency response team to support the community during political, security, and health crises. This team included leading financial, economic, and accounting experts.

Today, in response to the ongoing security crisis, the Forum has reopened this emergency team. It brings together top experts to guide and support businesses and the workforce during these critical times.

The Forum aims to create a comprehensive and specialized platform to monitor and address pressing economic issues in the long term. This platform will serve economic stakeholders and Arab workers while contributing to the community’s resilience against future crises.

Work Mechanisms

• Monitoring and Analysis: Collect and analyze data to identify affected cases, measure economic damage by area, and build a targeted database to guide assistance efforts.
• Media and Awareness: Develop media content to highlight the economic challenges faced by the community, raising awareness and advocating for support.
• Stakeholder Communication: Establish communication channels with affected businesses and individuals to understand their needs and provide assistance.
• Networking: Collaborate with professionals and entities capable of contributing to the emergency response.
• Local Economic Initiatives: Support local production, encourage shops to strengthen relationships with Arab consumers, and promote rational consumption habits.
• Advocacy: Develop strategies to mitigate economic damage and advocate for governmental and public support to open new opportunities for assistance.

Services Provided

• Financial and economic management support for businesses during the crisis.
• Assistance in accessing financial support and emergency programs, including guidance on how to apply for aid.
• Support for dealing with banks to ensure consistent policies during emergencies.
• Guidance for managing relationships with retirement, savings, and investment funds.
• Assistance for workers to safeguard their rights and maintain proper relationships with employers.

Call to Join and Participate

The Arab Economic Forum invites experts, specialists, economic institutions, and supporters of the Arab community to join this initiative. Together, we can build a comprehensive database and information center to support and strengthen Arab interests during crises.

How to Contact the Initiative Team

You can access the Arab Economic Forum’s website at https://arab-forum.org/.