KKL-JNF's Board of Directors unanimously approved two strategic decisions, which constitute a central pillar in the national rehabilitation and construction effort. As part of the first decision, Kibbutz Manara near the Lebanese border was defined as a “special central aid target,” a step that will allow the immediate transfer of 30 million NIS for the restoration of the destroyed neighborhoods and renewal of infrastructure in the kibbutz, which has suffered unprecedented damage to its infrastructure and buildings since October 7.
At the same time, the board approved the designation of the Arad Valley, which includes the city of Arad and the Mevo'ot Arad region, as a central aid target. KKL-JNF will integrate into the national effort to establish five new communities in the Mevo'ot Arad region and Yatir, allocating 39.8 million NIS to complete development and infrastructure works in cooperation with the Hityashvut Division.
As part of the vision to reduce gaps and encourage demographic growth, and with the aim of strengthening Arad as the district city of the Arad Valley region, the committee also approved the establishment of a “KKL-JNF House for Excellence” for youth in the city. The project will be budgeted with an investment of 19 million NIS, along with a future commitment to invest an additional 10 million NIS over five years for the center’s ongoing educational activities after its establishment.
Eyal Ostrinsky, the KKL-JNF Chairman, said: “The historic decisions we have made define the Arad Valley region, including the city of Arad, and Kibbutz Manara as the organization’s central aid targets. Our commitment to the north and the Negev does not remain on paper; we know how to be swift in finding solutions, and it is a great honor for us to bring practical tools to the field and provide immediate responses where they are most needed. Whether it is the rehabilitation of ruins in Manara or the building of communities and a House for Excellence in Arad, KKL-JNF once again proves that it is the leading operational arm in strengthening the national resilience of the State of Israel.”
Photograph: Courtesy of the KKL-JNF Photo Archive