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NEGEV WEEK - CORNERSTONE FOR NEW SETTLEMENT - FOUR MORE ON THE WAY
 This week, in the presence of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive Sallai Meridor, a cornerstone ceremony was held laying the foundation of a new religious-community settlement called Halukim - the first to be founded in the Negev for a decade. The settlement, being founded with Jewish Agency assistance, is 3 km. north of Kibbutz Sde Boker, and is planned for 250 families. The Ministers of Housing and Tourism, the Chairman of the Jewish National Fund and the Head of the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council also attended the ceremony. Developing the Negev continues to be a prime target for Jewish Agency activities. The Jewish Agency is currently working to establish four more communities in the Negev, called Zukim, Be'er Milca, Haruv and a new community settlement near Rahat. The Jewish Agency is also involved in the expansion of 100 existing communities in regions of the Negev. In all, during 2001 the Jewish Agency invested more than NIS 20 million in Negev communities, most of which was directed to the establishment of new settlements, business development and tourism initiatives, constructing public and community buildings and developing human and management resources. Over the last decade, the Jewish Agency has brought 210,0000 olim to the Negev, mostly from the FSU, thus contributing to a 40% increase in the region's Jewish population, mainly in the urban sector. Thirteen Negev districts have ties with dozens of Jewish communities around the world, through the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program, which have invested more than NIS 135 million. The Jewish Agency has invested more than NIS 8 million in neighborhood rehabilitation projects in Eilat, Be'ersheva and Yeruham. The Jewish Agency has made 10,000 Amigur apartments available to those entitled to public housing. A further 1,200 apartments have been allocated to the elderly in 13 retirement homes throughout the Negev.
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