Strengthening communities in Israel’s outlying regions is a key priority for KKL-JNF in the coming years.
Strengthening
communities located in Israel’s periphery and narrowing the gaps between this region and central Israel are important challenges that KKL-JNF is committed to addressing. A special panel was dedicated to this issue on the third day of the KKL-JNF World Leadership Conference, with the participation of Roni Flamer, Or Movement CEO, and
Danny Zamir, Beartzeinu Movement CEO.
“Israel is presently at a central juncture,” said Flamer. “What will the country look like 30 years from now? We must create large urban centers in the
Negev and
Galilee and build our country’s future together.”
The Or Movement works to develop and settle the Negev and Galilee, with the goal of transforming these regions into centers for independent and prosperous living that will be a magnet for all the sectors of the populace and a national growth motor. To date, the movement has established nine new communities, and it is involved in strengthening an additional 70 communities, placing emphasis on the Negev and Galilee.
Activities focus on three different planes: creating strategic plans for housing, community, transportation and development; information and promotion to change perceptions about the Negev and Galilee; creating available housing alternatives and promoting populating processes.
“We don’t see the current situation as a problem, but rather as an opportunity for Israel. We will continue to fight for the Jewish people’s ability to exist forever,” Flamer summed up.
Beartzeinu is the community development movement of Israel’s pre-military academies (mechinot) graduates. “We established this movement with KKL-JNF’s help, and it is our intent to catalyze change together,” said Danny Zamir.
Beartzeinu works to strengthen Israel’s geographic and social periphery. Zamir especially noted the need to bolster cities in these regions. He emphasized: “Young leadership needs to be created that will be able to spearhead this task. Pre-military academy graduates are the people who will change reality in Israel.”