“We want to bring in 1.5 million residents to the Negev and Galilee by 2040," he said.
By ALAN ROSENBAUMDANIEL ATAR: The Jewish link to the environment goes back to the holy roots of the Torah(photo credit: KKL)
Daniel Atar, chairman of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), announced that KKL-JNF has set the strategic goal of transforming the Negev and Galilee into hi-tech centers within the next twenty years.In his remarks, delivered in a prerecorded video address to the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York, Atar said that: “We want to bring in 1.5 million residents to the Negev and Galilee by 2040. This will lead to the creation of a new Silicon Valley that will attract leading hi-tech industry and research personnel.”Atar said that as part of the new program, a variety of innovative housing solutions will be developed, which will lead to the growth of existing cities and towns. KKL-JNF, he stated, will invest and develop a system of high-quality educational institutions, as well as establish advanced infrastructure and transportation systems that will connect the periphery to the center of the country.Atar lauded the contributions of the Jewish community around the world in helping build the State of Israel and said that the recent spate of antisemitic attacks shows that the Jewish people “must stand firm together.” He exhorted the attendees to continue their support of Israel.“With your support,” he said, “we will be able to accomplish the important task of turning the Galilee and the Negev into advanced technological centers. And together with you, we’ll be able to continue empowering and strengthen the State of Israel while marching it forward.”
