MAS discusses problems with national planning in the Palestinian context, in light of the current war
Press Release
Ramallah, Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) held a roundtable discussion on “problems associated with national planning in the Palestinian context, in light of the current war”. A group of specialists and experts participated, in-person at MAS headquarters or via online forums. Dr. Rabeh Morrar, Visiting Researcher at MAS, prepared the background paper that was presented by Engineer Mr. Mu’ayad Sweiti, Strategic Planning Officer at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC). Dr. Samir Abu Aisha, Civil University at An-Najah National University, and Mr. Zein Abu Daqqa, a founding member of (and research director at) Momentum Labs also joined the discussion group. All expressed their opinions on interventions and comments outlined in the background (discussion) paper.
Mr. Raja Khalidi, MAS Director General, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of this topic, stating that the subject matter falls within MAS's priorities, forming part of a set of research activities undertaken by MAS on the effects of the current war on the Palestinian territories. He recalled that he participated in preparing the first-ever Palestinian national development plan, under the supervision of the late Palestinian intellectual Yousef Sayeg in the early 1990s. The assumptions and principles included in the planning process at that time remain the same: the unity of Palestinian lands, places, peoples, as well as genuine sovereignty. Al Khalidi extended his thanks to the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Palestine and Jordan office for their support of this, and other, MAS roundtables in 2024. Despite difficulties associated with the current political situation, MAS has renewed funding sources for our activities, based on a firm belief in the importance of open dialogue on economic policy. Al Khalidi emphasized that MAS will commence drafting a policy paper on this issue after this roundtable session, including recommendations for relevant, official authorities.
The Director of Research at MAS, Mr. Rabah Morrar, outlined that the aim of this policy paper is to shed light on the reality of strategic planning at the governmental and public-sector levels in Palestine, as well as challenges accompanying the planning process. He outlined the historical background to the development of strategic planning, its duration and its responsiveness to developmental challenges in Palestine across time. Moreover, the paper examines the direction of strategic planning in the future, in light of unprecedented difficulties and complex socio-economic realities resulting from this devastating war. The questions outlined with the paper focus on the ability of existing strategic plans to respond to current realities, given significant deterioration across all economic, social and environmental indicators. Is there a need to reconsider future, governmental strategic planning processes that integrate the West Bank and Gaza Strip into one entity?
Challenges associated with the implementation of general strategic plans in Palestine
Morrar stated that reality dictates that the process of implementing strategic plans is very slow, and largely unreliable, in terms of directing the work of ministries and government institutions, nor is it subject to systematic monitoring and evaluation. A quick review of some sectoral and non-sectoral plans during the last decade shows that there is repetition in objectives and policies within plans targeting the same sector at different points in time, meaning that strategic objectives - or policies – are copied from one plan to the next, with some slight modifications to terminology.
The Director of Research explained that the crises and challenges created by the Israeli occupation, combined with unrealistic plans in terms of their compatibility with available financial resources, prevents the implementation of strategic plans. Additional challenges exist at the administrative and institutional levels, as there are deficiencies in the public administration system and the civil service, and in the structure of government: weaknesses in the public revenue and spending system, in medical transfers, in health insurance, in the management of net lending, and in water/electricity supply services. On the economic and social levels, a hostile business environment further undermines integration and the building of partnerships with the private sector and civil-society organizations. This state of affairs is further compounded by the absence of a social security system, a weak social safety net for the poor, the elderly and the disabled, and evident gaps in standards in both the public and higher education sectors (including technical/vocational education). The result is an un-enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, and the spread of negative attitudes among citizens on social issues, particularly corruption. At the spatial level, Morrar indicated that the fragmentation of the Palestinian government apparatus has led to disparities in access to opportunities and services, depending on where an individual happens to reside in Palestine. The researcher added that another important challenge is excessive and ill-considered reliance on international support, as well as donor funding and governance challenges.
Morrar outlined that the strategies utilized in the government's programs and general development plans for 2024-9 have become redundant, in light of unprecedented challenges created by the war. However, the need for a comprehensive national development plan is tangible, both in terms of its goals and geographical outreach. Morrar indicated that at this stage, the primary need is to develop a comprehensive national development plan that integrates all the regions of Palestine (the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem) into one entity, despite different circumstances and contexts within each of them. This requires setting realistic goals, relevant to the current challenges and existentialist danger facing Palestinians. At the ministerial level, it is necessary to reformulate strategic goals and programs within the framework of a comprehensive national development plan, using realistic strategic goals across all 34 ministerial and sectoral strategic plans.
Morrar concluded by stating that restructuring the national development plan limits redundancies, mobilizing resources and executive efficiency during difficult, wartime situations. The plan primarily works to limit deterioration across all economic and social indicators, preserving the lives of citizens while meeting their basic needs. Thereafter, in a parallel and complementary manner, reconstruction programs can be created in the Gaza Strip that respond to strategic challenges resulting from the war. He added, “We must not overlook the need to strengthen coordination between various public institutions, the private sector, civil society, as well as Arab and international donors” The economic and social challenges resulting from the war cannot be confronted by the Palestinian government within its current capabilities, even if all (100%) of clearance funds are transferred.
In his comment on the issue, Mr. Sweiti indicated that the occupation and its procedures impose weaknesses in communications between sectoral decision-makers and stakeholders, leading to the non-implementation of strategic objectives. He stated that the government began to update its plans as a result of the war, and that the general framework for updating strategies is the government’s need to commence the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He clarified that the government’s chosen reform process is ongoing, and it will take time. He called for unifying the two sections of the country such that the unification process includes institutions in the northern and southern governorates. Otherwise, a large gap will emerge.
In turn, Abu Aisha stated that some initial plans - or their components - have met with some success, while others failed, for either objective or subjective reasons. He stated that comprehensive, national planning must be based on spatial dimensions.
In his intervention, Mr. Abu Daqqa highlighted three key issues that require attention. First, the clarity of strategic objectives, public approval of them, and the necessity of public participation in their preparation, emphasizing the need for a small number of clearly defined objectives. The second issue relates to the necessity of activating the legislative process, and finally, the third concerns containing economic rent, in the event that the government assumes control over resources.
Attendees unanimously agreed on the importance of this issue, stressing the need for its careful examination, given that its strategic nature merits special attention. This requires the Palestinian Authority to take the initiative with the formulation of short-term and emergency plans relevant to current conditions. It is worth noting that MAS will issue a policy paper in the coming days on recommendations concerning this background paper and the roundtable session, as well as follow-up methods.