Future of the Negev
2022 Report to the ‘Old Man’
It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested. For only a united effort of a people volunteering and a State planning and implementing will we accomplish the great mission of populating the wilderness and bringing it to flourish. This effort will determine the fate of the State of Israel and the standing of our people in the history of mankind
David Ben-Gurion, First Prime Minister of the State of Israel, a Negev visionary
Information analysis, analysis and writing: Tal Elovits, Nadav Kaspi
Foreword
Merage Foundation Israel
A family philanthropic foundation founded by David and Laura Merage of Denver, Colorado, the Merage Foundation Israel has been operating in Israel since 1998 in various socioeconomic areas designed to strengthen all sectors of Israeli society. The founders’ vision for developing the Negev has materialized through multiple initiatives led by the Foundation in recent decades, in health, employment, development of the Bedouin society, demographic growth, urban planning, culture, tourism, agriculture and more. Today, the Foundation is widely known for its DeserTech and wine tourism initiatives, which work as economic growth engines by transforming the Negev into an internationally renowned desert tourism and innovation hub. Our investment and efforts are generating significant results and we are excited to continue working with partners across the board to continue to fullfill Ben Gurion’s vision.
This report, which we hope will become an annual tradition, provides a detailed overview and analysis of the year’s government resolutions aimed at promoting the Negev. It is designed to serve government ministries, Mayors and civil society leaders to increase accountability and ensure that decisions are actually implemented and deliver the expected results on the ground.
We believe in the Negev and in the people working in and for it. We ask that the government continues to drive the largest economic, demographic and social growth engine in Israel.
Nicole Hod Stroh
CEO Merage Foundation Israel
“Over the past 20 years, I have been committed day and night to the development of the Negev, as a tremendous believer in the Negev and its ability to become the most important growth engine in Israel”.
David Merage
President, Merage Foundation Israel
Ramat Hanegev Council
“It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested” – the recognized quote of David Ben-Gurion is our compass, our pillar of cloud and our pillar of fire – the Negev residents.
Settling the Negev is a national interest that was clear even prior to the establishment of modern Israel – we have, ever since, successfully developed a spectacular region with diverse towns and communities, internationally groundbreaking agricultural developments, an inspirational education system as well as factories and industrial zones that have proven to be national anchors. At the same time, the Negev faces several challenges -both national and local – while also providing vast opportunities and potential for development and prosperity.
The first Report to the Old Man that is now being submitted is designed to create a solid basis for reviewing investments and implementation of various policy decisions with pertaining to the Negev, and to the needs of Negev residents against national interests. The government’s commitment to developing the Negev requires multi-year monitoring of implementation of relevant resolutions that is independent of temporary political factors.
I believe that the Negev is the solution to the nation’s major challenges at this time – from personal security, to overcrowding, traffic jams, renewable energy, adequate employment and, equally as important – a shared and harmonious life of all of the ‘tribes’ in the Israeli public.
The following report, and the accompanying survey – is designed as a work tool to help fulfill David Ben-Gurion’s vision of a prospering Negev. I would like to thank all partners who helped create this report.
Eran Doron
Mayor of the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council
Executive Summary
The 36th Israeli government approved 24 government resolutions that directly pertain to life in the Negev. These resolutions involve government projects and undertakings on earmarked investments in the Negev by 2027 to develop the region, advance its residents and bridge gaps in welfare, education and health.
This report provides a bird’s-eye view of the government commitments, areas of activity and distribution of its commitments in ensuing years. The document also presents data from an opinion poll conducted among Negev adult residents for this report.
At the time of the writing of this report, the new government has not yet been sworn in and the 2023 government budget has not yet been approved. There is a need to confirm that the government’s promises will be reflected in the budget to be approved and that it will be implemented. This document should be considered a call to the next governments to continue their commitment to the Negev and increase its efforts in the region.
It should be noted that the amounts and projects presented in this document are addendums to the actions that the government regularly conducts and by virtue of the existing orders (such as operating the education system, welfare system, policing, Encouragement of Capital Investments Law, etc.)
Below are the main findings from the analysis of government resolutions
Total government commitment until 2027 for earmarked expenses in the Negev as part of 188 various actions. Of this amount, NIS 2.9 billion is earmarked for investment in Bedouin society and its environment by 2026 (65% of the total appropriation budget for the Negev region).
(NIS 2.8 billion) is being earmarked for 2023-2026 – years for which the budget is not yet approved.
Government resolutions include 188 various actions, the most significant field that is allotted 37% of the budget and 51 various activities is infrastructure, followed by local authorities (14%)
Scope of planned assistance in infrastructures (roads, construction, preparation of the area)
Scope of planned assistance to local authorities (balance bonuses, current budget support, etc.)
Scope of planned assistance to strengthen the job market in the Negev, encourage employers and assist small businesses.
Scope of planned assistance to reinforce the community welfare and support system
Scope of planned assistance for development of the tourism infrastructures in the Negev
Most government resolutions are not accompanied by implementation teams. Some of the resolutions have an implementation team but these teams operate separately
The Ministry of Finance has the most significant commitment of expenses, approximately 30% in ensuing years, alongside its responsibility to oversee expenses and projects for other ministries.
Below are the main findings from the opinion poll
- Most Negev residents are satisfied with their lives in the Negev – 65% are satisfied or extremely satisfied with their life in the Negev and only 7% testified that they are not satisfied with their life in the Negev.
- Residents are satisfied with their environment, quality of life and community life. On the other hand, residents are least satisfied with the lack of recreational options, personal security and adequate employment opportunities.
- The more relevant the age group is to the job market, the less satisfaction there is with the employment situation and economic opportunities. 60% of responders between the ages of 29-49 chose this field, 45% age 50 or older.
- Approximately one-quarter of residents testified that their economic situation worsened (24%) in contrast with their situation prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Approximately half of all respondents feared for their personal security. The main reasons being road safety, theft, nationalist crimes. No difference was found in the level of concern between Jewish and Arab respondents.
- 67% of respondents believe that the government does not pay enough attention to handling issues related to personal security.
- Residents’ opinions on their residential environment, roads, and transportation reveal an improvement in recent years. In contrast, health and welfare have worsened.
- When asked about their level of optimism about the future years, 34% of residents responded that they were optimistic about future years and 18% responded that they were pessimistic. The remainder responded that they are neither pessimistic nor optimistic.
The Main Recommendations
- Ensure budget compliance as part of the budget approval for 2023 and after.
- Certification of one government team to monitor and update implementation of various resolutions dedicated to the Negev region. The most significant scope of the resolutions and their spread over many years requires very close monitoring.
- Improving data collection mechanisms on the Negev, its residents and their characteristics.
- Publishing actual performance alongside regular accessible information to the various authorities and particularly the local authorities in the Negev.
Introduction
In November, we mark Ben-Gurion Day in honor of the man who was the first to focus on the Negev. We are in a period where the Negev is experiencing a tremendous economic, demographic, social and infrastructural boom, alongside the many challenges it faces. This is a good time to look back and examine the actions the government is taking help the Negev maintain in its rightful place as a source of demographic and economic growth for Israel. We have taken it upon ourselves to make this day that focuses on the entire Negev, look at what is happening and formulate concrete steps for implementation in ensuing years. The first “Report to the Old Man”, which will become an annual tradition, offers a comprehensive review of these issues.
The period of the 36th government was packed with government decisions focusing on the Negev. With over 25 different resolutions, the majority of which involve government commitment to projects, allocation of resources and planning that is entirely designed to improve the quality of life in the Negev – an extremely wide range of areas. These government resolutions, as discussed below in greater detail, include significant news but also concerns of false hope – promises that won’t be kept, sections of the government resolution that will remain on paper.
This document includes a first attempt to compile all government resolutions pertaining to the Negev region and its residents as anchored in the resolutions. Note that this document was written during the 2022 budget year and government actions during this year are still being carried out, there is no intention of presenting to readers a table of commitment vs. performance but to rather to provide readers with an understanding of the scope of government commitments.
This report was written with the understanding that we must ensure that the resolutions do not remain in the government ministry, but that public light is shed on resolutions that were made and what is expected to be implemented in ensuing years, will be made accessible to the general public and to government ministries.
It will be emphasized that even now, there is no intent to cover all government activity in the Negev region, and there is a tremendous amount of activity but rather review resolutions that passed in the government plenum that have budgetary or strategic implications that are spread over more than one government ministry.
The first part of this document will present the general status regarding valid government budget resolutions. An analysis of a total of 18 government resolutions totaling NIS 4.48 billion for 2021-2027 will be presented.
The second section will discuss in detail the government’s commitments in three main areas: increased personal security, advancement of society and welfare, measures in the job market and encouragement of industry.
The third section will present a picture based on an opinion poll conducted for this report. We wanted to introduce the voices and feelings of Negev residents and to try and float areas that need special attention in upcoming years.
Ultimately, recommendations will be presented to policy makers on how to improve control of implementation of the government commitments.
The budget data presented in this document was compiled from full text of government resolutions as it appears in the government secretariat. The data of the measures and their implementation was provided by the various government ministries and here is the place to thank them for their cooperation.
This report is the first of its kind, and given the political situation, can serve as a call to the 37th government and 25th Knesset to discuss and approve the state budget for the following years. A review of the upcoming years can shed light on implementation of government commitments and the feelings of residents in various areas.
We hope that you will find this document of interest.
Amir Halevy
Head of the Advisory Council to the Future of the Negev Committee
Nicole Hod Stroh
CEO Merage Foundation Israel
Eran Doron
Mayor of the Ramat Hanagev Council
Review of Government Budget Resolutions
As of the date of the writing of this report, there are 18 government budget resolutions that include designated actions for the Negev region. These resolutions range from specific decisions such as support of Eilat to produce international events to major resolutions that will be implemented by 2027. In addition to these resolutions, Israel has legislation that defines prioritization given to areas of national priority – on both the individual and authority level. This section will focus solely on government resolutions.
The analysis unit we chose, government resolution and not actions of any particular ministry or actions set forth in legislation designed to reflect the obligation of the executive authority as a whole has to the people of the Negev. A government resolution is the best way of approving actions and creating an obligation of the entire government to it. A government resolution, as it is called, is one that the government passes and can be binding on statutory authorities and government companies. The resolution can be new or an amendment to a previous government resolution.
Through government resolutions, budgets can more easily be pooled, and criteria set for the activity of the government and its branches. A government resolution can include various actions, inter alia, transfer of budgets, development activity, economic benefits, joint projects and directing government authority budgets.
It will be emphasized that a government resolution can determine policy for the next governments that can only be amended via the passing of an active resolution. Whether this involves cancellation of a previous decision or a change in a government decision and the content therein (actions and budgets) can more easily change.
Analysis of Budget Resolutions
As specified, there are currently 18 government resolutions that are relevant to the Negev region and that incorporate budget activity. 65% of the allocated budget up to 2027 is found in one resolution (NIS 2.91 billion), a plan for the socioeconomic development of the Bedouin population in the Negev 2022-2026 (Resolution No. 1279.36). In total, this plan contains 51 activities that require an allocated budget. The rest of the government budget resolutions, jointly, comprise 35% of the budget (NIS 1.56 billion) and involve 137 actions that require an allocated budget.
Responsibility for government actions and allocation of resources is divided among an extremely large number of approximately 30 government ministries and authorities. In some cases, operating responsibility of the decided action was decided, and, in some cases, responsibility involves allocation of resources only for the action. The Ministry of Finance, in addition to responsibility for approximately 30% of the budget to implement resolutions, is highly involved in controlling various actions decided upon by the government. The budget for some of these actions may occasionally be contingent on Ministry of Finance approval, even if the action is not one implemented by the Ministry of Finance or another ministry.
The next page presents an image of the breakdown of resources among government ministries from all resolutions that were analyzed in this document.
Flagship Resolutions
Looking at the government resolutions, another five flagship resolutions can be noted, other than Resolution 1279 mentioned above. The total budgetary commitment of the government in these resolutions is estimated at NIS 1.3 billion. The other government resolutions (an additional 12 resolutions) amount to NIS 263 million.
These flagship resolutions incorporate cross-ministerial actions that are spread out over several years and a total accrued amount of NIS 100 million per resolution.
Actions that require a budget
In total, government resolutions contain 188 different actions that may be divided into 12 different categories: defense, infrastructures, tourism, job market, education and higher education, welfare and society, environment, local authorities, innovation, health and general group,
As demonstrated in the graph below, the most significant field allotted 37% of the budget, and involves 51 various actions, is infrastructures (including construction of educational buildings and sewage and water infrastructures) followed by local authorities (14%), which includes direct budget transfers to the authorities as well as support of regional clusters.
Total budget – NIS 4.48 billion
Total budget – NIS 4.48 billion
Budget Breakdown
A glance at the budget breakdown between government ministries and various government authorities (The Protection of Open Spaces Fund, the Bedouin Development Authority, etc.). It should be noted that approximately 50% of the total budget (approximately NIS 2.2 billion) is under the control of three ministries: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Transportation. The top ten ministries are responsible for approximately 80% of the total budget for government resolutions.
Budget Breakdown – top ten ministries (3.6 billion)
Budget Breakdown – top ten ministries (3.6 billion)
A review of the development of projected budget expense, by virtue of government resolutions, for ensuing years, indicates that the majority of the budget to be allocated is planned for 2023 and later (63% of the budget) for these years, no state budget has yet been approved and noting the elections for the 25th Knesset, it may be assumed that the 2023 budget is still a long way from being approved. Under these circumstances, the budget that may be allocated is contingent upon special budgetary approvals derived from the rules of conduct in the absence of an approved state budget. It is further emphasized that the future state budgets might allow for the spending of the entire funds and actions to which the government committed in these resolutions.
The matter of the state budget and the fact that the government will approve the next state budget will not be the government that made decisions based on this document requires more attention to confirm that the actions that the government committed to do not fall between the cracks, in the best-case scenario, or are cancelled as part of the state budget planning. This document aims, inter alia, to call the next government and state budget so that they will see the government resolutions pertaining to the Negev before them.
Development of Government Resolution Budgets by Years
NIS in Millions
Unfortunately, the government does not have one comprehensive unit to ensure control and monitoring of implementation of these resolutions and can also serve as an address and source of information for the public. Only in a small percentage of resolutions was a decision made to establish one comprehensive unit that may impair the internal and public ability to monitor, following implementation of government resolutions pertaining to the Negev there is room to consider compiling in one unit responsibility to supervise government activity designated for the Negev.
Government Commitment and Activity on Flagship Issues
As presented above, government budgetary resolutions include 181 different actions that the government intends to implement in ensuing years. This section will focus on three flagship issues: increased personal security, advancement of society and welfare, and action in the job market and encouragement of industry. With the assistance of various government ministries, data about implementation of projects in these areas.
Increased Personal Security
The matter of personal security in general and particularly in Arabic speaking society has made headlines throughout the country. This issue is one of the core concerns of Negev residents and an issue that concerns all the residents of the country. The Israeli government is intensely engaged in the problem of crime in general and the Arab street, establishing a committee of ministers that is designed to focus government activity to prevent crime and violence in Arab society.
In October 2021, a national emergency plan was launched to fight crime and violence, “Safe Route”, in which the efforts of several law enforcement agencies are concentrated on targeted operations. As part of the program, legislative changes were made that would allow the police to increase enforcement in violent events in the Arab community. These acts, which directly impact, inter alia, life in the Negev region, are not at the heart of this section since they are largely enforcement acts. Although special resources are allocated, these are implemented in hindsight nationally and to support the enforcement actions.
Increasing personal security is an issue that encompasses many and integrated issues and is not reflected solely by the addition of any one police unit. The opinion poll we conducted also shows that this is not a matter of policing only. Approximately 38% fear physical or verbal violence in the public and immediately after them, the other two areas that cause Negev residents the most fear are road safety and the security situation with Gaza at 38% and 37% respectively.
Choose up to two issues that cause you concern for your safety
Choose up to two issues that cause you concern for your safety
A review of various government resolutions reveals several actions that are intended to increase personal security in several areas: community policing, support for volunteer activities, development of road infrastructure and strengthening of the relationship between the police and the community.
Two programs in the government resolutions aim to fight agricultural crime NIS 1.5 million was allocated to operate a volunteer base of the Border Guard in agricultural areas and NIS 40 million was allocated to extend the activity of organizations such as Hashomer Hahadash in agricultural areas in the Negev. The government resolutions also allocated a budget to operate regional community policing systems (resolution that began to advance in 2017) along with the Border Guard, to fight theft, vandalism and agricultural damage. In June 2022, the first unit was inaugurated in Israel in the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, and another two units are scheduled to be created in the south next year (Sdot Negev and Merhavim).
As part of policing and community security authority, the government resolutions include actions designed to expand the scope of activity and response in various areas as well as significantly expand activity in the Bedouin authorities in the Negev. Ministry of Internal Security data reveals that by the end of 2022, 4 new municipal policing units will be operating in Rahat, Arara, Segev Shalom and Tel Sheva. A total of 47 police officer and 29 supervisors will be recruited to the municipal policing units (two from units that are already operational). These units will operate alongside a new police station that was established in Segev Shalom.
To strengthen the relationship between the police and the Bedouin community, “community managers’ were appointed in 9 different authorities. The community manager oversees the relationship with various security officials, the local authority and the community. NIS 4.5 million was allocated in 2022 to finance the community manager positions.
With regards to road safety, as part of a government resolution that is the basis of this document, an amount of NIS 278.5 million was allocated to develop and restore roads – municipal and intercity. The majority of this budget (NIS 164 million) is allocated to developing roads in the Bedouin society, and particularly roads used to transport children. The government resolutions also included expansion of Road 4-0 and the construction of bypass bays (NIS 42 million). These actions are not related to the increased enforcement as part of the Safe Route campaign mentioned above.
Alongside these actions, which are the basis of the government resolutions, there is room to note the resolutions of the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance to complete the upgrade of Road 90 for a total cumulative amount of NIS 410 million. This resolution, which is being implemented with budgets from the Ministry of Transportation and not as part of a government resolution, is expected to continue until the end of 2023.
Completion of these actions in the road sector, coupled with the ongoing actions being carried out in accordance with the national strategic plan of the Ministry of Transportation, may help alleviate the road situation in the Negev in general, and particularly road safety.
Advancement of Society and Welfare
One of the strongest characteristics in life in the Negev is community life and a residential environment that encourages community. This feature was even reflected in the opinion poll, with most respondents noting their satisfaction with community life and their residential environment. A strong society and good community life, however, are no substitute for a strong welfare system, a system that most residents, of all ages, believe has been deteriorating in recent years.
The welfare system has numerous branches and does not rely solely on Ministry of Welfare activity. Currently, there are many government and civilian entities that provide social services and solutions to the public.
A review of government resolutions that are the basis of this document indicates 34 different actions designed to reinforce the welfare system in the Negev while also strengthening community life and unity. These actions are estimated to cost NIS 384 million between 2021-2026.
Total budgetary commitments to societal life and welfare broken down by years (total 384 million)
Total budgetary commitments to societal life and welfare broken down by years (total 384 million)
We can discuss the NIS 148 million that is directly allocated to reinforce the welfare system in various cities and towns in the Negev in greater detail. The actions include support of Hosen (resilience) centers, the operation of 360 program for adolescents, improving rights and expanding human responses in social services.
In addition to the direct action to improve the welfare system, the commitment to strengthening community life and empowerment of civil society organizations operating in the Negev in the amount of NIS 98.5 million can be noted. Calls for some of these actions were launched only in July 2022, and as a result, their implementation has only begun as of the writing of this report.
As part of government resolution 625 (“adoption of the recommendations of the inter-ministerial team in light of the relocation of IDF camps to the Negev”), the government undertook to advance a master plan for young people in the Negev – in addition to the activity of youth centers in the various authorities. According to a status provided by the Prime Minister’s Office, the budget for promoting this plan passed but the drafting of the plan has not yet begun and of course it has not yet been approved in any governmental forum. A re-examination next year will make it possible to present the government’s progress in the various sections of this section as well as assess the operations taking place in the field and their results.
Actions to Strengthen the Job Market and Economic Opportunities
The job market in the Negev and the existence of adequate employment opportunities for area residents is one of the issues with which residents are least satisfied. Approximately 60% of residents between the ages of 18-50 expressed dissatisfaction in this area. From a national perspective, the state of employment and job seekers in the Negev is far worse than in other areas in the country.
Government resolutions for ensuing years focus on actions designed to reinforce the job market and increase the number of jobs in the market – bonuses to employers, export encouragement, business accelerators, promotion of employee recruitment, improving employment skills and employment orientation center activities.
A total of 27 different actions included in government resolutions are being discussed in this document. These actions are estimated at NIS 387 million spread over 2021-2026.
Total budget commitment to actions in the job market, innovation and creation of employment opportunities broken down by years (total 387 million)
Total budget commitment to actions in the job market, innovation and creation of employment opportunities broken down by years (total 387 million)
Approximately NIS 180 million of this budget (46%) is allocated to improving job skills, technological training and increasing supply of employees from the Bedouin population as part of the government resolution to develop the Bedouin population.
Approximately 56% of residents believe that the hi-tech industry can economically strengthen the Negev region. The government resolutions in this document allocate approximately NIS 39 million for actions designed to encourage start-up and hi-tech company activity in the Negev, inter alia, by creating a physical infrastructure in the form of buildings to lease for hi-tech in Yerocham and Eilat, and the establishment of an innovation center in the eastern Negev, as well as support of the existing ecosystems in the Negev, while advancing innovation such as promotion of Desertech.
Ministry of Economy and Industry data that was provided for this document reveals that in the past five years, the Investments Authority approved 270 various programs amounting to NIS 732 million. NIS 537 million of which are grants to factories under the Encouragement of Capital Investments Law. 5 programs totaling NIS 21 million were approved to build plants in the eastern Negev.
With regards to grants in the employment track, 27 programs totaling NIS 74 million were approved. Ministry of Economy and Industry data reveals that these actions resulted in the creation of 810 new jobs in the Negev and Arava.
Opinion Poll – Main Findings
Most Negev residents are satisfied with their lives in the Negev – 65% are satisfied or extremely satisfied with their lives in the Negev. Only 7% expressed dissatisfaction with their lives in the Negev.
Residents are satisfied with their residential environment, quality of life and community life. On the other hand, residents were unsatisfied with the recreational and leisure opportunities (54%), state of personal security and adequate employment opportunities
- The more that the age group is relevant to the job market, the less satisfaction there is with the state of employment and economic opportunities. 60% of respondents between the ages of 20-49 chose this field, 45% from age 50 and older.
- All age groups are satisfied with their residential environment. All age groups were dissatisfied with their personal security and with employment opportunities. The older the age group, the less satisfied with recreational and leisure activities.
- A review of the age groups reveals differences between the first three topics that were found to be most satisfactory or least satisfactory for that age group,
The two graphs below present, by age group, the spread of responses, where the respondents were asked to choose up to three areas of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The data is presented in percentages from the age group.
Satisfaction with various fields
% of the age group
Dissatisfaction with various fields
% of the age group
Approximately half of the respondents fear for their personal safety, in all age groups. The main reasons: road safety, theft, nationalist crimes. No difference was found in the level of concern among Jewish and Arab respondents. No difference was found between the age groups.
Choose up to two areas that make you concerned for your safety
Choose up to two areas that make you concerned for your safety
67% of respondents believed that the government was not paying sufficient attention to handling issues related to personal security.
Residents believe their residential environment, roads and transportation have improved. In contrast, the health and welfare system has worsened in recent years.
Choose up to three areas that you feel have improved and three areas that have worsened in the past three years
(% of the entire sample)
A review of the age groups reveals differences between the first three topics that were found to be most satisfactory or least satisfactory for that age group.
The two graphs below represent by age the spread of responses from respondents who were asked to choose up to three areas that they felt improved and up to three areas they felt worsened in recent years. The data is displayed in percentages from the age group.
Choose up to three areas you feel improved in recent years
% of the age group
Choose up to three areas you feel have worsened in recent years
% of the age group
When asked if they would prefer moving to another location, 57.1/5 responded that they did not want to leave the Negev. 22% preferred living in the center of the country and 10% preferred living in the north.
When asked about which industry they believed could strengthen the regional economy, approximately 56% chose hi-tech, followed by 15% who chose tourism.
Which industry do you believe can strengthen the regional economy?
Which industry do you believe can strengthen the regional economy?
When residents were asked about their current financial position, in comparison with the same period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 60% mentioned that their position had not changed. 24% responded that their financial position worsened and 16% stated that their financial position improved.
Ultimately when the residents were asked about their level of optimism for the ensuing years, 34% responded that they were optimistic about the coming years. 18% responded that they were pessimistic, and the balance responded that they were neither optimistic nor pessimistic.
Summary and Recommendations
On the table of various government ministries are many commitments to the Negev authorities and the residents who live there, commitments that reflect a prioritization that seeks to promote, through dedicated actions, a stronger, more robust society that lives in the developing region and one that offers its residents hope. This document aims to ensure that these obligations will not remain only on the table but will materialize and be implemented.
This document reviewed all of the government’s commitments, as passed by the government plenum, pertaining to the Negev region. These commitments, beyond their budgetary significance, entail a strategic and long-term policy for the Negev region. Concurrently, and based on past experience in implementation of government resolutions, the resolutions in and of themselves do not show that the actions will be implemented in the field. The document also presented findings from an opinion poll that was conducted at the same time as the document was written. The poll aimed to support the data presented in the document and to present the residents’ positions in a variety of areas, particularly personal security.
Regarding the fact that this document was written in the middle of the 2022 fiscal year, in which most of the resolutions being reviewed were passed, adequate monitoring implementation is not yet possible. Accordingly, the document presents the main issues faced by the government and most of the commitments it undertook to implement in the Negev region.
The majority of the dedicated budget allocated within the reviewed resolutions (65%) was shown to have been allocated in a resolution focusing on investment in the Bedouin community and its surroundings. The balance of the budget will be divided between 17 other resolutions. All the resolutions incorporate within their framework 188 different actions – in all areas of life, with infrastructure (including roads, educational buildings and field training) representing the field in which over a third of the total budget is allocated.
The analysis of the distribution of the budget over ensuing years revealed that 63% of the budget allocated to the programs is scheduled for release in 2023 and later. Years for which there is no approved state budget and not even a temporary budget proposal. In such a situation, the balance of the funding of the programs in the government’s resolution actually depends on approval of a budget for the following years and the de facto ratification of the government’s commitment by maintaining the allocated budget as part of the approval of the ensuing state budgets. This issue is important for the following governments since, in the absence of a determination in legislation, actions decided upon by the government can be amended as easily as they were passed.
Another issue that was mentioned and should also be taken into account is the lack of a central unit to monitor and control the government’s resolutions pertaining to the Negev. In a limited number of resolutions, the decision was made to establish an implementation committee, but it is not just one single committee but different committees from various resolutions. The authorization of one team to monitor and update implementation of the various Negev resolutions should be considered. The significant scope of the resolutions and their distribution over a large number of years requires close monitoring of implementation along with the regular availability of information to the various authorities and particularly the local authorities in the Negev.
With regards to the findings of the opinion poll, the findings indicated that the community is generally satisfied with its life in the Negev and the community life within it, along with a significant concern for their personal safety and their employment situation. When respondents were asked to indicate in which areas they felt had deteriorated in recent years, all age groups jointly indicated welfare. The government’s resolutions incorporate significant actions welfare, and it is hoped that a re-examination next year, this issue will improve the feelings of the residents.
With regards to personal security, an issue that most residents expressed concern about, the actions of the government in policing and strengthening road safety were presented. Taking into account the nature of infrastructure projects, which are spread over a long period of time, a re-examination next year may indicate progress on this issue and implementation of the government’s articles, and particularly the actions of the Community Security Authority and handling of transportation hazards.
In conclusion, we would like to point out that although the Negev has evolved a great deal in recent years, the statistical information accessible to the public about the Negev, its population and its economic characteristics – is almost non-existent and certainly not up to date. The Central Bureau of Statistics does not differentiate the Negev region from the entire south (Ashkelon line, inclusive, and south, thereby making it difficult for the public, as well as government ministries, to use current data that can shed statistical light on what is happening in the Negev. For the time being, the CBS measurements will be dedicated to the Negev region alone, so that the data that will be compiled and published will help determine the best policy in the years to come.
In light of the analysis of data and all issues discussed in this document, we wish to present the following recommendations:
Maintaining the budget frameworks as part of budget approval for 2023 and beyond. State budget approval processes inherently contain a vast amount of data and numbers. When preparing the state budget for ensuing years, verification is required that the scope of the government’s commitment as specified in the government resolutions in this document is maintained.
There is room for one government team to be authorized to monitor and update implementation of the various resolutions dedicated to the Negev region. The significant scope of the resolutions and their distribution over a large number of years requires close monitoring alongside the periodic synchronization of the activities between the various ministries.
Improvement in the measurement of statistical data pertaining to the Negev, its residents and characteristics.
Ensuring publication of actual performance while making information regularly accessible to the various authorities, particularly local authorities in the Negev.
This document is called “The Future of the Negev – The Report to the Old Man” with the understanding that in order to fulfill our commitment to the “Old Man,” the late David Ben-Gurion, we must protect the future of the Negev and this, inter alia, by placing a spotlight on the government’s planned actions in ensuing years. Actions that are closely related to the development of the Negev and ensuring a more prosperous and safer future, as well as shedding light on the positions of the Negev residents, the people who implement the vision every day.
We hope that readers of this document will use it as a daily reminder of the government’s commitment to developing the Negev.
The document was written by Tal Elovits, Consulting, Research and Policies and Nadav Kaspi, Economic and Policy Consultant
Appendix – List of Government Budgetary Resolutions
Deisgned by: David Ross Studio