BICOM

Israel’s cabinet will meet on Sunday and discuss a significant development plan designed to boost economic and social conditions in the south of the country in the wake of Operation Protective Edge.

The 50-day conflict this summer saw Israel’s southern communities targeted by thousands of rockets and a severe disruption to everyday life, with some residents temporarily leaving the area altogether. The economic impact on local businesses and potential investment in the region has been hard hit.

Israel’s government had already announced a £70 million allocation to aid Sderot and smaller communities in the Gaza border region. However, the plan to be discussed on Sunday is a far more wide-ranging five-year plan for these communities worth £217 million, which the Prime Minister’s Office described as “the largest and most comprehensive economic development plan ever made for the area.” The money is slated to be used to provide economic incentives, boost agricultural development and support communal development.

Addressing local mayors and local authority heads yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the plan as “great sums, unprecedented in the history of the country. What these communities will receive, what they deserve, is the strongest evidence … we will build up and strengthen all parts of our state.”

The cabinet will also discuss a separate initiative, a five-year plan to benefit all residents of the wider Negev region worth £33 million. The plan will boost industry, agriculture and employment, while enhancing services such as health, transportation, housing, social welfare, education, environmental protection and tourism. The Negev is already set to undergo a degree of regeneration with most IDF facilities relocating there in the coming years.

The cabinet has not met for two weeks, due to ongoing disputes over the 2015 state budget. The process of approving the budget has been delayed due to the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge and questions over how to fund the cost of the conflict and the need to increase investment in the south and the defence budget.