The government approved today (Sunday) the first part of a national plan for the return of residents from northern Israel to their homes. The plan includes a budget of 200 million NIS for the rehabilitation of public infrastructure, renovation of buildings, and improvement of public spaces in local authorities in the north.
The decision is intended to ensure the safe return of residents at the end of the long campaign in the north and after the settlement agreement signed a few weeks ago with the terrorist organization Hezbollah. The plan is supposed to address the urgent needs of the communities in the area.
As part of the decision, the budget will be allocated according to clear criteria related to the number of evacuees in each authority, the extent of the built-up area, and the number of public buildings. The authorities will be able to choose to manage the work independently or with the assistance of government ministries. The budget will be divided so that regional councils will receive 111 million NIS and municipalities and local councils will receive 89 million NIS. This is a significant step, as part of a comprehensive plan that will be approved in the near future, for the rehabilitation of the north and ensuring the rapid return of citizens to their homes.
Smotrich: "First step towards rehabilitating the settlements"
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated: "The residents of the north have shown exceptional resilience during this complex period. The return of the evacuees to their homes is not only a moral obligation but also a top national priority. The approval of the budget is the first step towards the rehabilitation of the communities and the strengthening of the north."
The State of Israel is mobilized to act for its citizens, with responsibility and dedication, to restore the sense of security and home to every family that had to leave. The significant investment approved today reflects our commitment to provide them with all the necessary means to rebuild their lives and strengthen public infrastructure. I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Ze'ev Elkin for their cooperation in formulating this important decision. The State of Israel stands and will continue to stand by its citizens always – in routine and in emergencies.
Minister Ze'ev Elkin, responsible for the rehabilitation of the North: "The return of the residents of the North to their homes requires immediate attention to urgent needs and the development of a long-term plan that will lead to the rehabilitation and development of the North. The plan is significantly different from the one presented regarding the South, for various reasons, and it is our duty to ensure that we receive the most appropriate tools. This is a paramount Zionist task that must be carried out through cooperation between all ministries and authorities, and I thank Minister Smotrich for the joint work."
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