Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed that one of the communities be named “Renanim,” in memory of the last hostage, and hero of Israel, the late Ran Gvili (of blessed memory)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today:
“During my visit to the Negev about two weeks ago, I declared: We will advance the Negev along several paths, one of which is Jewish settlement, and this Government is doing much in this regard. The first thing I can say is that the stigma is fading. People didn’t used to say ‘I’m from Dimona,’ but today they say ‘I’m from Dimona.’ Today they say ‘I’m from Kiryat Gat’, a major city in Israel. ‘I’m from Ashkelon.’ Where is our Ashkelonian? (Minister Dichter). Well, maybe you always said it, but today everyone does.
There is a tremendous momentum of both action and pride, and it continues today in this important meeting that brings massive news to the Negev and to our plans to continue developing the region. This is a monumental settlement announcement: Five community settlements in the eastern area of the Be’er Sheva metropolitan area. This is important in many respects.
Mr. Government Secretary and ministers, I propose to the Government Secretary and the Ministers that one of the communities be named ‘Renanim’, after the hero of Israel, the late Ran Gvili, whom we are working with immense effort, at this very moment, to bring back.
We said that we would not only act for settlement, but we would also act to restore law and order to the South. We are not relenting on this; it is a fundamental part of the profound change we must make in the southern part of the country. There will be no ‘Wild West’ here. We have allocated resources for this, involved the ISA, and we will continue to do much more. This is part of a grand vision that also includes organizing for the Arab residents and citizens in the Negev; they too deserve all the fruits of this development, and it will be done through an integrated plan. But today, we are delivering news of a great community settlement breakthrough.”