Netanyahu Highlights Development in Dimona, Vows to End Israel's Peripheral Status

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the Negev 2026 conference in Dimona on Tuesday, emphasizing the transformation of the city from a neglected town plagued by poor housing conditions to a thriving urban area. He recalled that Dimona once had hundreds of apartments infested with cockroaches and called it a "health hazard" before his governments initiated significant improvements. Netanyahu declared his vision to eliminate the concept of "periphery" in Israel, pointing to new towers, roads, and a railway as evidence of progress.

This is not the first time Netanyahu has expressed disdain for the term "periphery," having pledged to abolish it repeatedly over the past two decades during visits to various southern and northern Israeli towns. He highlighted the addition of thousands of housing units in Dimona and noted increased population growth despite challenges, including nationalist crime and judicial system obstacles.

During his visit, Netanyahu toured several southern communities and a textile factory, accompanied by his wife, Sara Netanyahu. He mentioned encounters with young residents near the Bedouin village of Bir al-Daqa and visits to places affected by recent conflicts, including Nirim and Meitar, where he attended a funeral. Netanyahu stressed strengthening Israel's hold on its borders, adopting a proactive military stance inside Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and warned Iran against attacks, promising strong retaliation.

He reiterated plans to extend the "bullet train" from Eilat to Kiryat Shmona, a project he has announced before but never started. Netanyahu urged citizens to recognize the government's efforts in developing the Negev, contrasting his current achievements with his earlier military experiences traveling through the region's difficult terrain.

Summary: Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Dimona's development at the Negev 2026 conference, vowed to end Israel's peripheral status, and warned Iran against aggression while reaffirming plans for major infrastructure projects in the south.