Candidates Pledge Opposition to New Airport in Jezreel Valley
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Candidates from various Israeli political parties have publicly committed to opposing the construction of a new international airport in the Jezreel Valley. The event, organized by the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, saw politicians from across the spectrum sign a pledge against the project, which the government approved in February. Local residents and officials have been campaigning against the airport, citing concerns about its impact on agriculture, food security, and regional safety. The opposition's strong stance suggests the airport issue could be a significant factor in the upcoming elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Political candidates across the spectrum pledged opposition to a new international airport in Israel's Jezreel Valley.
- The Jezreel Valley Regional Council organized an event where politicians signed a commitment against the airport.
- The government approved plans for two new airports, including one at Ramat David in the Jezreel Valley.
- Local residents and officials cite concerns over agriculture, food security, and regional safety.
- The airport issue is expected to influence voter decisions in the upcoming elections.
Candidates from across the political spectrum have pledged to oppose the establishment of a new international airport in Israel's Jezreel Valley, a project that has faced strong local resistance for years. Residents and the head of the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, Shlomit Shichor Reichman, have been campaigning against the government's plan to build a supplementary international airport near the Ramat David airbase. The government approved the plan in February to establish two new airports, one at Ramat David and another in Tze'elim in the Negev. However, candidates from most parties have expressed opposition to the northern airport, with hopes in the valley that the Tze'elim option will be prioritized.
The upcoming elections provided an opportunity for Shichor Reichman to gather commitments from politicians at an event held in Kibbutz Yifat, titled 'The Valley Chooses Those Who Choose It.' Representatives from most parties attended, along with KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky, who criticized the current government. Journalists Noha Spiegel of Haaretz and Or Ravid of Channel 12 News moderated panels. The discussion quickly became heated, with clashes between coalition members and opposition supporters in the audience.
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, stated his long-standing opposition to a supplementary airport in the valley, citing security concerns due to its proximity to Hezbollah's missile range, though he acknowledged a nearby international airport in Haifa already exists. Almog Cohen of Likud, who initially supported the Negev airport, engaged in a heated exchange with the audience after asserting shared interests with the council's residents. MK Yitzhak Kroizer, Netali Shem-Tov, and Osherat Gani-Gonen also voiced opposition to the Ramat David airport. The panel with Cohen, Kroizer, Shem-Tov, and Gani-Gonen dissolved into arguments after Gani-Gonen commented on perceived political influence over the police, leading Cohen to protest.
Later, Ostrovsky strongly condemned Cohen's conduct. Other participants included MKs Ram Ben-Barak and Elazar Stern, and Moshe Har Zion, who discussed their parties' platforms. Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economists, also attended, discussing reserve duty and military service, and confirmed his opposition to the airport, having signed a pledge against it. Shichor Reichman emphasized that candidates' stances on the airport issue would influence voters in the Jezreel Valley, highlighting the potential impact on local agriculture, food security, and the region's future.