Appointment of Raja Za'atra as Chairman of the Tenders Committee in the Haifa Municipality Economic Company
The board of directors of the Haifa Municipality Economic Company approved the appointment of city council member and head of the Hadash faction, Raja Za'atra, as chairman of the company's Tenders Committee, which has an annual budget of over 100 million shekels. The appointment was made despite an incitement campaign by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The board of directors of the Haifa Municipality Economic Company, at its meeting on October 21, 2026, approved the appointment of city council member and head of the Hadash faction, Raja Za'atra, as chairman of the company's Tenders Committee. The Tenders Committee is considered one of the central committees in the economic company, due to its role in tender procedures and contracts related to the company's projects, and in ensuring transparency and fair competition. The economic company is one of the most important municipal companies in Haifa, operating in the fields of economic development, establishment and development of high-tech areas, projects, infrastructure, and economic initiatives, with an annual budget exceeding 100 million shekels. This appointment is particularly significant given the need to strengthen Arab representation in positions of responsibility and decision-making. The Haifa City Council had approved in August the appointment of Za'atra as a member of the board of directors of the economic company, despite the incitement campaign launched by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who demanded the cancellation of the appointment. The Hadash faction emphasizes that its participation in municipal institutions aims to serve all residents of Haifa.