20,000 dunam (5,000 acres) will be given to Dimona for housing and an industrial zone, and 5,000 dunam (1,250 acres) to Mitzpe Ramon.
Minister of Internal Affairs Avraham Poraz has signed a plan to detach 25,000 dunam (6,250 acres) of land from the jurisdiction of the Ramat Negev Regional Council. The land will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Mitzpe Ramon local council and the Dimona municipality.
The Dimona municipality asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs several years ago to expand its jurisdiction with land from Ramat Negev, claiming that Dimona needed tens of thousands of dunam for residential construction and a new industrial zone.
A Ministry of Internal Affairs committee of inquiry found that Dimona’s demand was justified. According to the committee’s recommendations, Poraz decided to take 20,000 dunam (5,000 acres) away from Ramat Negev, and give it to Dimona.
He also gave 5,000 dunam (1,250 acres) to the Mitzpe Ramon local council for mining and quarrying.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on May 23, 2004