November 21, 2001
6 Kislev, 5762
Jerusalem

New Negev Settlement on the Map.
Cornerstone of Halukim Laid.

Negev Development: A High-Priority Goal for Jewish Agency

The cornerstone for Halukim, a new community settlement in the Negev, was laid today (November 21st) in a ceremony held under the aegis of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor. This is the first time in ten years that a new settlement has been founded in the Negev. Halukim, which will be built with Jewish Agency assistance, is located three kms north of Kibbutz Sdeh Boker. It will house 250 religious families. Five families are already living on the site in temporary prefabs, and another 20 will arrive next week in Partners in the founding of the settlement are the Jewish Agency; the Ministries of Housing and Construction, and National Infrastructure; the Jewish National Fund and the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Construction Natan Sharansky, Tourism Minister Benyamin Elon also participated in the ceremony, along with the Chairman of the Jewish National Fund, Yehiel Leket and the Head of the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council.

Prime Minister Sharon said that settling the Negev will be the new challenge of the religious settlement movement, and Sallai Meridor pledged that the Jewish Agency will continue to establish new settlements in the Negev.

The development of the Negev continues to be a top priority of the Jewish Agency. The Jewish Agency is currently laboring to found four new Negev settlements: Tsukim, Beer Malka, Harub and a new community settlement neat Rahat. The Jewish Agency is likewise involved in expanding 100 existing settlements in ten Negev regional councils. During 2001, the Jewish Agency invested NIS 20 million in the development of the Negev. These investments were for establishing new settlements, developing business enterprises, increasing tourism, constructing public buildings, developing human capital and especially managerial capacities.

During the last decade, the Jewish Agency settled some 210,00 immigrants in Negev communities. Most were from the Former Soviet Union. This increased the population of the Negev by 40% especially in urban areas. Thirteen areas of the Negev have networked with dozens of Diaspora communities through the Partnership 2000 program with a total investment of over NIS 135 million.

The Jewish Agency invested more than NIS 8 million in renovating neighborhoods in Eilat, Yeruham and Beersheba. Likewise the Agency gave over 10,000 low-cost apartments to eligible recipients through the auspices of its daughter company, Amigur. The Jewish Agency also gave over some 1,500 apartments to senior citizens in 13 Negev homes for the elderly.

For further information:
Contact the Office of the Spokesman:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706