Netanyahu pledges investment and security boost for war-torn northern Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged continued investment and stronger security measures for communities along Israel’s northern border, as the government moves forward with a multi-billion-dollar development plan for the region.
Speaking at an event with government officials and local leaders on Thursday, Netanyahu said the strategy was built on two priorities, economic development and security.
“There are two components here. One component is development and investment, and the second component is security, deterrence, and prevention,” he said. “We are very determined to carry this out.”
Netanyahu said the initiative was designed to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for northern communities while promoting coexistence among the region’s diverse populations.
“As we say to Jews, Druze, Circassians, and Muslims - we all live together in the same package, and I am committed to that,” he said.
The prime minister described the programme as a major milestone and expressed confidence that northern Israel would undergo a transformation similar to what he said had been achieved in the south.
The remarks come days after the Israeli government approved a 13 billion shekel ($4.5 billion) plan proposed by Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to strengthen towns near the Lebanese border.
The package includes the construction of 1,800 new public bomb shelters, subsidies for safe rooms in homes located within nine kilometres of the border, and a five-year development programme aimed at attracting 100,000 new residents.
Combined with previously approved funding, the total investment in the initiative is expected to reach 20 billion shekels ($6.9 billion).
Netanyahu called the announcement “a day of celebration” and thanked local leaders and government officials involved in advancing the project.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
