Negev and Arava Communities
in the Negev
KKL-JNF Continues to Develop Communities in the Negev
The foundation stone was put in
place for two new communities in
the western Negev: Halutzit 1 and
Halutzit 4. Both communities, set up
with the help of JNF America, will
be settled by families from the
evacuated Gush Katif communities
of Atzmona and Netzarim. The
ceremony was attended by Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert, Deputy
Prime Minister Shimon Peres –
responsible for Galilee and Negev
development – KKL-JNF Co-Chairman Avraham Duvdevani, Eshkol Regional
Council head Uri Naamati, KKL-JNF Southern Region Director Ami Uliel, future
residents of the new communities and KKL-JNF staff.
KKL-JNF, in conjunction with the WZO’s settlement division, is currently engaged in
infrastructure at the site. According to Ami Uliel, this includes leveling the ground,
laying roadways, providing the infrastructure for orchards and green areas and the
already-completed preparation of 1,600 dunam (approx 400 acres) of land for
farming. If everything goes according to plan, the residents should be able to move
into their new communities within less than six months.
Before the ceremony, KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler said: “KKL-JNF
proved its ability for efficient implementation when it took swift action to establish
temporary infrastructure for some of those evacuated during disengagement. We are
proud that the Israeli government has now chosen KKL-JNF to be the body
responsible for establishing permanent communities for some of the evacuees, as part
of its work in developing and settling the country.”
Another ceremony which took place in the western Negev was the inauguration of
Be’er Milka, an agricultural community (moshav) near Kadesh Barnea and Kmehin,
in the Nitzana region, on the border with Egypt. KKL-JNF prepared 500 dunam
(approx 125 acres) of land at this site for agricultural and residential use and laid the
access road which links the community to its two closest neighbors. KKL-JNF is also
involved in research and development in this area, a fact which helps local farmers
develop crops for export.
The inauguration of Be’er Milka – Left: Avraham Duvdevani, Meir
Shitreet and Arye (Lova) Eliav
KKL-JNF Co-Chairman Avraham Duvdevani said at the groundbreaking ceremony
that the infrastructure KKL-JNF had provided constituted a significant contribution to
strengthening settlement in the Negev and that, as the community grew; KKL-JNF
would continue to develop both it and the surrounding area. He remarked on the
Hebrew date of the ceremony, the first day of the month of Kislev, and said that the
name of this month could be pronounced as two separate words: kis (“pocket”) and
lev (“heart”). This meant, he said, that if we want to continue the settlement process
we have to open both our hearts and our pockets.
Minister of Housing and Construction Meir Shitreet thanked KKL-JNF for its
vital contribution and expressed his hope that the area would soon be home to a
flourishing agricultural community.
KKL-JNF contribution to the establishment of these communities, with the help of its
Friends throughout the world, shows that, despite the enormous effort it has invested
in Galilee forest restoration in the wake of the war in the north, KKL-JNF is still
energetically engaged in projects for the development of the Negev.
For Articles, comments or use please contact
Ahuva Bar-Lev
KKL-JNF – Information and Publications
Email: ahuvab@kkl.org.il
Phone: 972-2-6583354 Fax:972-2-6583493
www.kkl.org.il/eng