The government approved today (Sunday) the proposal of the Minister of Construction and Housing, Haim Katz, and the Minister of Settlement, Orit Struck, for the establishment of five new community settlements in the eastern area of the Beer Sheva metropolis.
The Prime Minister announced at a cabinet meeting that one of the five new settlements to be approved in the Negev will be named after the latest abductee, Ran Gueili - "Renanim.".
Netanyahu's office said: "The decision was made as part of a broad national initiative promoted by Prime Minister Netanyahu to strengthen the Negev, fortify the strategic spaces of the State of Israel, and deepen sovereignty and national hold on the southern and western regions.".
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The plan was approved by the National Planning and Building Council, and will be accompanied by the promotion of detailed planning, infrastructure development, the establishment of a regional center for employment and services, and preparations for gradual population, as part of a comprehensive national concept led by the Prime Minister to strengthen the civil, economic, and security resilience of the South.
The Prime Minister said: "During my visit to the Negev about two weeks ago, I announced that we will advance the Negev on several fronts, and one of them is Jewish settlement. This government is doing a lot in this regard. There is a tremendous momentum of both action and pride, and it continues today with this important decision that brings huge news to the Negev and to our plans to continue developing the Negev. This is huge settlement news; five community settlements in the eastern area of the Beer Sheva metropolis, which will continue the momentum of the entire south.".
Minister Katz: "Settlement along Route 25 is a national and strategic mission. After thorough headquarters work and completion of procedures in the planning institutions, we are advancing a decision that translates policy into action on the ground. Expanding the housing supply, strengthening the Negev, and creating a settlement continuum between Beersheba and Dimona are central pillars in the long-term development of the region.""
Minister Struck: "The settlement revolution is also coming to the Negev - establishing new settlements in the northern Negev is a strategic goal that over the years has progressed little and too slowly, with the dismal result, in the wild, shameful and dangerous southern expanse.
""Upon entering the ministry, I instructed to promote the establishment of settlements on Route 25 as a high priority, given their importance in changing the face of the space in the central Negev. I am full of appreciation for all the partners in the sacred work of building the country: the ministries of Housing, Interior, Finance, Justice, the Planning Administration and the Settlement Division, all of them. Everyone has mobilized with all their might to advance this important national goal. Together, we are building a defensive wall of settlement, also in the Negev.".
