BICOM

Israel’s National Council for Building and Planning yesterday approved plans to build a new Druze town near the northern city of Tiberias. It will reportedly be the first Druze town to be built by the state since 1948.

The Druze minority consists of around 130,000 people, living almost entirely in 18 towns in the north of Israel. They have an especially high representation in the IDF. Given that most existing Druze towns are built on mountainsides and have limited potential for expansion, a cabinet decision was taken in 2012 to establish a new Druze town in Western Galilee and ten possible sites have since then been considered. In consultation with the heads of the Druze authorities and Druze religious councils, the National Council for Building and Planning decided that the site at Ahuzat Naftali was most suitable, given its proximity to existing infrastructure and transport links.

Initially, 400 housing units will be established, but the town is expected to grow gradually in the long-term. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented yesterday on the new town, saying, “For the first time since the founding of the state a new Druze town will be established. I view the building of this new town as a very important initiative that will bring progress to the Druze sector.” He added, “It is part of the many government actions to promote the Druze population.”

Housing Minister Yoav Galant also welcomed yesterday’s approval, saying, “We and the Druze have an alliance of brotherhood. We are committed to them, and it is our responsibility to take care of this sector’s welfare and prosperity.” He said that he and a ministerial team have been involved in the project from the beginning and “we will continue to watch over it and make sure that construction of the town is efficient and meets the highest standards, until the project is completed.”