The Prime Minister has decided to move forward with the establishment of a supplementary airport to Ben Gurion Airport in the vicinity of Rahat, with the Tze’elim region emerging as the leading candidate. This decision follows strong opposition from the security establishment to the previously proposed alternative site elsewhere in the Negev.
Supplementary Airport to Ben Gurion to Be Built Near Rahat, Likely in Tze’elim Region
In a special meeting held today (Sunday), the government decided to advance the construction of a supplementary airport to Ben Gurion Airport on land near the city of Rahat, with the Tze’elim region identified as the most probable location. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, senior officials from the security establishment, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel National Roads Company, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen.
Deputy Minister Cohen, who had recently resigned from his role in the Prime Minister’s Office following the failure to approve the Negev Airbase proposal, withdrew his resignation after a direct conversation with the Prime Minister.
During the meeting, the security establishment expressed strong opposition to the alternative site at the Negev Airbase, citing operational concerns. Consequently, it was proposed that the new civilian airport be developed in the Rahat area.
However, due to the lack of existing infrastructure in the designated region, the new airport is not expected to become operational before the end of this decade. This contrasts with the Negev Airbase location, which already benefits from established military infrastructure.
