Israeli Knesset Passes Law to Accelerate Development of New Negev Towns

The Israeli Knesset approved a historic amendment to the Local Councils Ordinance on Tuesday, aimed at resolving a longstanding bureaucratic obstacle that hindered infrastructure development in the Negev before residents arrived. The legislation, initiated by former Interior Minister Moshe Arbel and advanced by Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strook, was finalized after extensive deliberations in the Interior and Environmental Protection Committee chaired by MK Yitzhak Kroizer.

Previously, the absence of a legal framework to establish a municipal authority before actual population settlement created a management vacuum. Without an official body to coordinate budgets, push infrastructure projects, and liaise with government ministries, many developments were delayed for years. The new law enables the formation of a council or dedicated administration during the earliest planning and construction phases, ensuring official oversight from the outset.

This change will facilitate the direct advancement of infrastructure such as roads, public institutions, and basic services, significantly accelerating the establishment and population of new communities. Major projects expected to benefit include the outlying settlements near Arad, the settlements along Route 25, the community of Dror, and the new cities of Kasif and Te’ela.

Minister Strook described the law’s approval as a "major breakthrough in the Negev settlement revolution," emphasizing the link between settlement, governance, and sovereignty. MK Kroizer cited David Ben-Gurion’s statement that the Negev is a test for the Israeli people and state, affirming that the law removes past barriers and provides a vital boost to peripheral communities. He pledged to closely monitor the law’s implementation and anticipates seeing new homes, communities, and children playing in the streets soon.