Attorney Benny Arviv Appointed Chair of Israel's National Planning and Building Council

Attorney Benny Arviv has been appointed as the new chair of Israel's National Planning and Building Council, succeeding Nathan Alantan who recently retired. Arviv currently serves as deputy head of the National Planning Headquarters and acting chair of the National Infrastructure Committee. He previously worked in the legal department of the Planning Administration and was appointed deputy legal advisor and legislative supervisor in 2019.

Over the past eight years, Arviv has played a key role in several planning reforms, including alternatives to the Tama 38 urban renewal plan, reforms in betterment levy regulations, elimination of distinctions between primary and service areas, and redistribution of planning authority between regional and local committees. Despite his new role as chair of the supreme planning institution, Arviv was not appointed chair of the National Planning Headquarters, a position Alantan held concurrently. Alantan had hoped his deputy, Attorney Shira Brand, would succeed him, but industry insiders doubt this will happen before upcoming elections.

The appointment was signed by Israel Ozen, Director General of the Ministry of Interior. The ministry currently lacks a minister, causing delays in several senior appointments, including Shira Talmi Babai as chair of the Tel Aviv District Committee and the search for a new chair for the Jerusalem District Committee.

Separately, real estate company Ari Real Estate, led by CEO Tzachi Abu, raised 255 million shekels in a private share allocation from institutional investors to support its expansion, including a recent acquisition of a 26% stake in G City for 661 million shekels. Additionally, urban renewal company Hechsher HaYeshuv signed a 478 million shekel contract with Barel Group to demolish six buildings and build 478 new housing units in Kiryat Yam, with construction expected to last 46 months. The company also reported progress on other projects totaling approximately 32,000 planned housing units across various stages.

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