Jezreel Valley Council Head Slams Finance Minister Over Airport Plan
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Shlomit Shichor Reichman, Head of the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, strongly opposes a planned airport at Ramat David, criticizing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Planning Administration. She cited concerns over crime, pollution, and the impact on local communities and agriculture. Reichman also highlighted the need for more local authority and funding to combat these issues. The Planning Administration defended the project as necessary for Israel's aviation needs, while Smotrich's party affirmed his commitment to developing the Galilee.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Jezreel Valley Council Head Shlomit Shichor Reichman strongly opposes a planned airport at Ramat David.
- Reichman criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing him of pushing the airport project without understanding its impact.
- She cited concerns about increased gunfire, waste fires, and a lack of governance in the region.
- The Planning Administration defended the airport plan, citing Israel's aviation crisis and development needs.
- Reichman also called for greater authority and funding for local councils to address crime and environmental issues.
- Smotrich's party affirmed his plan to strengthen Jewish settlement in the Galilee, linking it to the airport project.
Shlomit Shichor Reichman, the Head of the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, has launched a sharp critique against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressing strong opposition to the planned airport at Ramat David. Reichman voiced concerns about potential gunfire, waste fires, and a lack of governance in the region, arguing that the airport project would exacerbate these issues and negatively impact local communities, agriculture, and the environment. She believes the planning process, driven by what she calls a "deep state" within the Planning Administration, is ignoring the potential damage and the current security realities, especially after missile fire near the base during the recent conflict.
Reichman also highlighted the challenges faced by local authorities in combating crime and environmental hazards. She stated that while cooperation with the police is good, the council lacks the necessary authority and funding to effectively address issues like gunfire and waste fires. She called for increased state resources and empowerment for local governments to manage these problems, emphasizing that residents are suffering from polluted air due to waste burning outside their jurisdiction. The council has already invested over a million shekels in cleaning up waste in neighboring areas.
Furthermore, Reichman discussed the difficulties in promoting shared living and trust with the Arab community, noting that Arab local leaders also struggle with budget shortages and problematic government attitudes. She stressed the importance of investing in rehabilitation and fostering coexistence through education and community programs. She also addressed the rising housing costs in the Jezreel Valley, which are pricing out young families, and outlined a plan for approximately 800 new housing units across 20 settlements to increase supply and affordability.
The Planning Administration responded by stating they are acting on government decisions and promoting two international airports, including Ramat David, as part of a decade-long plan to address Israel's aviation crisis. They dismissed Reichman's claims of a "deep state" as slogans that won't solve the problem. The Religious Zionism party, Smotrich's party, affirmed his plan to "Judaize" the Negev and Galilee as a practical work plan to strengthen Jewish settlement, comparing the situation in the Galilee to the pre-war conditions in Gaza and emphasizing the need for their party's influence.