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It will be a military city with everything you would expect to find in any other city; city will bring prosperity to South, say Negev residents

Itamar Eichner Published: 04.01.07, 10:47 / Israel News




The plan to build a military training-camp city in the Negev is set to be approved Sunday morning by the government. The city should be built within five years.



Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that establishing the the military city was a historic event that signals a positive change for Be'er Sheva and the entire Negev. "The city will change the whole area; it will create thousands of new jobs and encourage many quality people to move to the South."



A total of 250,000 square meters are planned to be built over the 300 acres of the city.



Over 600 courses will be held annually in the city for 1,700 career soldiers and 6,300 regular servicemen. The city will be connected to public transportation, with a train station at the entrance. It will have a logistics center, sports center and firing ranges, a supermarket, schools, library and many other facilities.



"The British built Tzrifin (a large base near Rishon Lezion) as a temporary base over 60 years ago, and we plan to make the Negev flourish evermore with the proper, long-term infrastructure," said head of the training camp city administration, Colonel Pini Lieberman.



The decision to approve the city in the government spurs delight and optimism in the Negev. The city is anticipated to strengthen the towns and villages in the region. This is the best possible gift the government could have given the residents of the Negev for Pesach. I would like to personally thank the prime minister and Shimon Peres, minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee," said Shmulik Rifman, head of the Ramat Hanegev District Council.



Amram Mitzna, acting mayor of Yeruham, said: "Finally, the government is fulfilling its past decision to develop the Negev."