The Arab Economic Forum held its second annual conference on May 10, 2022, at the Dabbah Halls in Deir al-Asad. This year’s event focused on the economy of the Arab community, emphasizing growth opportunities, revitalization, and the challenges it faces. The conference attracted numerous Arab business leaders, entertainers, and representatives from leading development companies in the financial and business sectors.
Among the honoured guests were President Isaac Herzog (via a recorded speech); Governor of the Bank of Israel, Professor Amir Yaron; Chairman of the Supreme Follow-up Committee for Arab Affairs, Muhammad Baraka; Chairman of the National Committee for Local Authorities, Mudar Younis; Chairman of the Joint List and Knesset Deputy, Ayman Odeh; as well as local authority heads Mr. Samir Halila and Mr. Ibrahim Berham from the Palestinian Trade Center. Dr. Anan Al-Deek, General Manager of the Arab American University offices in the West Bank, was also present.
In partnership with the Calcalist newspaper and the Economic Development Authority, the conference opened with a welcome speech by Mr. Issa Khoury, Chairman of the Arab Economic Forum’s Board of Directors. He emphasized the conference’s mission to identify obstacles to economic growth in the Arab community and propose strategic solutions, focusing on urgent and vital matters.
This year’s conference, held after a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to serve as a comprehensive platform for stakeholders to address economic and development issues in Arab society. Attendees included academic leaders, representatives from government institutions, members of the Arab and Israeli private business sectors, manufacturers, trade unions, and decision-makers from ministerial offices and local authorities.
Integrating Arab Women into the Workforce
The conference highlighted the challenges faced by Arab community members, particularly Arab women, in integrating into the labour market. Professor Amir Yaron’s keynote lecture revealed that, according to 2020 data, only 36% of Arab women participated in the workforce, compared to 82% of women in Israeli society.
A study conducted by the Bank of Israel identified a lack of societal awareness about the importance of integrating Arab women into the labour market as a key contributing factor to this disparity. The study also emphasized the role of industry leaders and decision-makers in creating job opportunities for Arab women. Furthermore, it noted that the labour market participation rate for Arab men was 69%, compared to 86% for men in Israeli society in 2020.
Challenges and Obstacles for Young Arabs
The conference addressed the challenges and obstacles young Arabs face when entering the labour market. The Bank of Israel study highlighted the deteriorating educational system as a significant factor. Arab schools often lack sufficient infrastructure and an appropriate educational environment compared to their Israeli counterparts, negatively affecting students’ performance and academic achievements before and after university.
Data from 2018 showed that only 12% of Arab students entered the high-tech sector, 17% pursued higher education, and 18% earned a “Bagrut” certificate qualifying them for university.
Language Barriers
Another critical challenge for the Arab community is proficiency in the Hebrew language. According to 2020 data from the Bank of Israel, only 30% of individuals aged 20–24 demonstrated high-level proficiency in Hebrew. This lack of language skills poses a significant barrier to their participation in the Israeli labour market, where strong Hebrew proficiency is often essential.
Discussion Sessions on Critical Issues
The conference featured dialogue sessions addressing pressing concerns within Arab society, with contributions from representatives of economic companies, business leaders, researchers, academics, and decision-makers.
One session, “State Resources: Are They for All Citizens?”, explored the government’s economic plans and strategies for converting budgets into actionable projects. It featured prominent guest speakers, such as Lawyer Mudar Younis.
