The proposed draft law, submitted on November 19, 2024, suggests extending the validity of Law 294/2022 for five more years and applying some modifications to certain clauses. The law is proposed with the motive of facilitating the reconstruction process in areas affected by Israeli attacks. It offers tax exemptions for building permits and related fees, to ease the financial burdens on residents in impacted regions and other rural areas. The proposal also seeks to simplify procedures for joint property owners in areas with disputed land ownership.

This law presents several critical issues that highlight its inadequacies in addressing the broader challenges posed by the ongoing crisis. First, it offers piecemeal solutions such as tax exemptions and simplified building permits, which fail to address the underlying problems in the affected regions. The law’s focus on easing the building process in unregulated areas could lead to increased urban sprawl, degradation of natural landscapes, and environmental damage, rather than sustainable development. Furthermore, the introduction of standardized building designs limits individual choice and may not meet the diverse needs of the local population. By treating reconstruction as an isolated task, the law overlooks the need for a comprehensive, holistic approach to recovery that includes social, economic, and environmental considerations. Additionally, the proposed exemptions and simplifications risk being exploited by large investors or politically connected individuals, potentially diverting critical resources away from the people most in need. The commentary tackles the many issues of the law and highlights how such laws offer temporary solutions without a comprehensive approach to recovery.

Read the full commentary in Arabic.