On May 9th 2017, in the communal village of Netiv Ha'asarah near the Gaza Strip, a new extension area was inaugurated, which includes 71 lots intended for private construction for the people of the village. In the future there will be another extension area, and plans are for the village to incorporate 500 additional families.
The ceremony was attended by KKL-JNF Chairman Danny Atar, Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council Yair Farjun, Director of Village Affairs from the Ministry of Housing, Osnat Kimchi, Chairman of the Moshav Movement’s Land Division Attorney Amit Ifrach, and Chairman of the Association Committee Shimon Sahar.
Yair Farjun, Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, said during the ceremony: "The strength of Netiv Ha'asarah is the strength of Tel Aviv".
KKL-JNF World Chairman Danny Atar emphasized that “KKL-JNF will ensure that all future extensions of the Moshav will be built".
KKL-JNF staff in Israel’s southern region prepared the land for extension, which included moving the fence, paving a security trail, paving a peripheral road and planting a forest between the village and the border with Gaza. KKL-JNF is committed to developing the Negev and its towns and villages. The organization has accompanied the village since its establishment, while helping with its consolidation and development. KKL-JNF has also established a reservoir in the village, as well as a park, an aviary and a security road. Moshav Netiv Ha'asarah was established on the Zikim Sands after the evacuation of the town of Yamit as part of Israel's withdrawal from Sinai in 1982 and its peace agreement with Egypt.
In the extension area are 71 lots of half a dunam each, which are being marketed for a quarter of a million shekels. Most of them are being purchased by the children of the founding families. The lots are situated on a hill overlooking Beit Hanoun in Gaza. All of the future houses will have a safe room according to proper security standards. Some of the building plans have already been given approval from the Local Planning and Building Committee of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. The building is expected to commence in the next few weeks.
Yair Farjun said during the ceremony: "The peace with our neighbors over the fence will come only if we know what we want. We want to settle in this country because we have nowhere else. Netiv Ha'asarah does that in the best way and sets an example and is an admirable community. The strength of Netiv Ha'asarah is the strength of Tel Aviv, which can someday bring peace". Farjun thanked KKL-JNF, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Defense, the Moshav Committee and the Council workers.
Shimon Sahar, Chairman of the Netiv Ha'asarah Association Committee said that in response to the demand for private construction lots in Netiv Ha'asarah, a third expansion step will take place, which will bring the village from 800 to 1300 people, a total of 500 households.
Danny Atar elaborated on the history with the village: "As a member of the Knesset I was invited by Yaakov Ben Yaakov, a member of the village, for a tour. We visited every corner of the Moshav and I can't give my blessing for laying the cornerstone without mentioning this dear man. The residents around the Gaza Strip do not let anything change or hurt their love for this country and this place. We at KKL-JNF will continue to do everything in order that the future expansions of the Moshav will take place. We will continue the building momentum in the village and the connection with the professionals at KKL-JNF is what will guarantee the development of Netiv Ha'sarah and the building of the country".
The legal advisor and chairman of the Land Division in the Moshav Movement, Attorney Amit Ifrach, elaborated on the location of the Moshav. "It is a victory for the village, because despite its location on the fence, it has always focused on development and continues to grow and not surrender to difficulties. Now the village is up to the challenge of ensuring the fast absorption and integration of the young families in this veteran community".
Secretary General of the Moshavim Movement and Chairman of Israel Farmers Association, Meir Tzur, added: "Expansion of 70 new lots, sold mostly to the returning younger generation here in the closest village to the Gaza border, shows and highlights the importance of settling on the border. This is a victory of spirit and the way to act in this security reality".
Netiv Ha'asarah is named after the ten soldiers killed in a helicopter crash south of Rafah in 1971. The village suffers intermittent bombings from Gaza, and many rockets have fallen here in times of war and in times of relative quiet. The expansion project in Netiv Ha'asarah will strengthen the people of the village and guarantee its existence, with young families building their homes.
KKL-JNF invites its Friends from around the world to take part in this important project.