Jewish National Fund Allocates Funds to Urban Renewal in Seismically Vulnerable Areas

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) is allocating up to NIS 33 million for 2026-2027 to address a critical bottleneck in urban renewal projects, specifically the detailed planning phase. This initiative targets communities in national priority areas identified as having significant seismic and structural challenges, including Kiryat Shmona, Katzrin, Hazor HaGelilit, Safed, Tiberias, and Beit She'an.

The JNF's move aims to tackle the paradox of urban renewal in Israel, where areas most in need of revitalization, particularly in the periphery, face significant hurdles. These challenges include aging infrastructure, the real risk posed by earthquakes along the Syrian-African Rift, and the inability of the market alone to drive necessary renewal.

JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky stated that the organization's role is to enter these specific areas, remove obstacles, and create conditions for projects to advance. He emphasized that beyond the safety concerns related to potential earthquakes, the initiative also carries environmental benefits. By densifying and renewing existing urban areas, the JNF seeks to accommodate population growth and housing demand without encroaching on open spaces, forests, and natural reserves surrounding these communities.

This funding represents the first stage of a broader strategic plan by the JNF to engage in urban renewal in Israel's periphery. The final allocation of funds to local authorities will be determined based on professional criteria and in coordination with local leadership.