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Today the Cabinet will also discuss strengthening the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip. This area has suffered severely in the past decade from terrorist attacks and rocket and missile fire. Our policy is clear to all and I think it also became clear over the weekend - to respond resolutely to any firing at our territory and at our communities. There is no doubt that this policy, in addition to Operation Cast Lead, has increased deterrence against attack on our communities. But we believe that we cannot suffice thereby. Therefore, the Prime Minister’s Office, along with the Finance Ministry, has formulated a Government package for investment in infrastructures and development in order to help the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip, especially Sderot, in which most of the population is concentrated, but there are other communities that have suffered, and some of which are still suffering. This NIS 300 million plan will meet their needs. I think that this is a welcome and important step that the Government is taking.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu also commented on the need to promote respect for, and study of, the Hebrew language and commended a plan to this effect by Education Minister Gideon Saar. The Prime Minister also spoke in favor of declaring the birthday of Eliezer Ben-Yehudah as a national day for the Hebrew language.

Credit: PMO website

By Dr. Emmanuel Navon

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This Sunday and Monday the south will come to Tel Aviv. A special event will take place at Hangar 11: over 150 businesses from the south from a wide array of industries such as footwear, clothing, office supplies, gifts, books and candies will arrive. Merchants of the south will present their merchandise at a fair for two days at the Tel Aviv port and hope to recover from their dismal moral and financial reality in the communities near Gaza, Sderot, Ashkelon, and Ashdod these days. The rockets that are disrupting the daily routine of the South’s residents are fatally damaging the livelihood of merchants and business owners in the area. Regulations for times of emergency that prohibit crowding of residents have led to this, and centers of commerce and shopping malls in the south have been closed now for a week. Residents are weary of leaving their homes, leaving only to buy basic staples as a result of the barrage of rockets over the area.

The event is produced in cooperation with the Ministry of Development of the Negev and the Galil, the port of Tel Aviv, and Hangar 11, who are all contributing their time and their establishments to the benefit free of charge. The success of the event is ultimately dependent on the willingness of the residents of the center of the country. You are all invited to come, to buy, and to support the businesses of the south. Show them that at a time when the state of Israel is fighting for their security, the Israeli public also stands behind them.

You are also invited to raise awareness about the event, spread the word, and recruit people to participate in this important initiative.