Israeli Local Leaders Demand New International Airport in Negev Amid Ben Gurion Chaos

Dozens of Israeli local leaders from both northern and southern regions have jointly called on political party heads to commit in their upcoming election platforms to establishing a complementary international airport in the Negev. In a letter sent on Monday, the officials emphasized that the current crisis at Ben Gurion Airport necessitates accelerating the development of the new airport near Sde Dov, which could be operational within three years. They described the project as a strategic move that would enhance aviation security, promote development in the Negev and across Israel, ensure balanced national infrastructure distribution, and hold historic significance.

Among the signatories were prominent mayors and council heads including Rubik Danilovich of Beersheba, Benny Biton of Dimona, Kfar Susiya of Kiryat Gat, Yair Maayan of Arad, and Elia Winter of Mitzpe Ramon. Leaders from northern municipalities also endorsed the letter, such as Shlomit Shichor Reichman of Emek Yizrael, Gil Lin of Megiddo, Yaki Ben Haim of Migdal HaEmek, Roman Peres of Yokneam, and Muhammad Agbaria of Umm al-Fahm. The collective appeal underscores the urgency to diversify Israel's aviation infrastructure and reduce dependency on the congested Ben Gurion Airport.