Arab town of Shfar'am positions itself for an economic role in the IMEC trade corridor in northern Israel
The town sits outside the Port of Haifa and argues its strategic location, diverse population, and active business sector can bring additional value to the project
Shfar'am, located just a few miles from the Port of Haifa, is part of an alliance of 53 local authorities known as "The Next Bay," which brings together communities across the Haifa region and the Beit She'an Valley hoping to benefit from jobs, investment and economic opportunities tied to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Mayor Nahed Khazem said the city's location between Nazareth, Acre and Haifa, roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) from each, has historically made it a meeting point for different parts of Israeli society. "Today, Shfar'am is moving forward with a vision for the future and toward a new phase of economic development," Khazem said, citing the city's geography, social fabric and available land as reasons it could become a significant regional economic center.
Zaher Azzam, a professor and Shfar'am resident, said the city also holds a notable position in education and culture, pointing out that academics and students make up between 17 and 20 percent of the city's population. Azzam says this gives Shfar'am cultural, social and economic momentum.
The city's Square of Religions, which brings together symbols and sites representing Shfar'am's different faiths, reflects its character as a place where Muslims, Christians and Druze have lived side by side for centuries. Khazem described the city's social fabric as built on "mutual respect and appreciation," with residents sharing customs and culture across religious lines.
Nearby, the Shfar'am fortress, known as the Daher al-Omar fortress and built in 1771, stands as one of the city's most prominent historical landmarks. Businessman and resident Muin Abu Obeid described it as a symbol of the relationship among the city's residents, calling Shfar'am "like a rare work of art" shaped by its historically diverse population of "Muslims, Christians, Druze and Jews."
Omar Malak, former director of the Shfar'am municipality's education department, said the city is naturally positioned to benefit from IMEC given its location along the corridor's route, but argued its value extends beyond economics. Malak said Shfar'am's history, interfaith coexistence and tourist sites could help transform the city into a broader center for tourism, business and social exchange as part of the larger initiative.
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Local leaders and residents say the 53 communities involved in "The Next Bay" alliance want the conversation around IMEC to extend beyond ports, railway lines and shipping containers to include the people and communities along its route.
For Shfar'am, the goal is to leverage its location, business activity, diverse population and regional ties to ensure the Arab city has a role in the new economic opportunities IMEC could create, with hopes the corridor will not simply pass nearby but make the city an active part of the route itself.