Khaberni - The Israeli government announced on Thursday its intention to approve next Sunday, the establishment of an international airport in the southern Negev region.
This was stated in a statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The statement said: "Under Netanyahu's direction, a proposal will be raised next Sunday for the government to approve it for the location of the first additional international airport in Israel in Tze'elim near Rahat city."
It added: "The construction of an additional international airport is a national necessity due to the continuous increase in the number of flights to and from Israel."
The office considered that "the decision to build the first airport in the south represents important news for the Israeli aviation sector, and even more importantly for the entire Negev region."
It followed: "The airport is expected to contribute to providing thousands of new jobs, enhancing the regional economy, and is part of a wide-ranging initiative led by the government to reduce disparities and actually eliminate the concept of marginalization."
No timeline or costs for the establishment of the airport were disclosed.
Upon its establishment, the Negev Airport will be added to the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv (center), Ramon in Eilat (south), and Haifa Airport (north).
Over the past few years, the Negev region has seen an escalation in Israeli violations including land confiscation and the demolition of Arab homes.
