November 29, 2006 / 8 Kislev 5767

On November 27, 2006 the Israeli government approved NIS 400 million to implement the National Strategic Plan for the Development of the Negev in 2007.

The plan, initiated and driven by Daroma, a partnership between Israeli philanthropists and the Jewish Agency, was submitted by Shimon Peres, Vice Premier responsible for the Ministry of Development of the Negev and Galilee.
 
Daroma was founded in 2005 as a non-profit company by the Jewish Agency and Israeli philanthropists and chaired by Mr. Eitan Wertheimer. Its sole purpose is to encourage and facilitate the development of the Negev, one of the Jewish Agency’s strategic goals. It will call for the development of this essential area by means of lobbying, advocacy, planning and expanding, and deepening the involvement of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora.

The Government’s vote for the plan took place at the cabinet meeting in Sde Boker commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the passing of the State of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. The implementation of the National Plan is the realization of Ben-Gurion's dream to develop the Negev and is the cornerstone for further cooperation with the Jewish Agency and Jewish communities throughout the world.

The plan’s multifaceted approach to accelerate the development of the Negev encompasses education, economic development, and improvement of quality of life, infrastructure and community. Compensation to western Negev victims of Kassam attacks is also included within the plan’s framework.