Plans for the development of the Arava region, an arid 100 mile stretch extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba, were outlined today by Dr. Israel Goldstein, chairman of Keren Hayesod, the fund-raising arm of the World Zionist movement. Dr. Goldstein told reporters who accompanied him on a day-long tour of the region that plans called for the establishment of two new settlements this year, the improvement of security measures, and the link-up of the seven existing settlements with the national electric power grid and telephone system.
Dr. Goldstein said the total expenditure in the Arava region this year will amount to $5 million, exclusive of security measures, of which the Jewish Agency will provide about $900,000. The Arava settlements are expected eventually to become a source of supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and milk for the port of Eilat on the Gulf of Aqaba which now gets its fresh supplies from the coastal region around Tel Aviv, He said that security measures included paving interior roads to prevent the planting of mines, construction of security fences and underground shelters in all settlements.
One of the new settlements will be called Qetura. The other will be a revival of Neot Hakikar as a small-holders village. The site is presently occupied by a private group as a jumping-off place for tours and a hostel. Dr. Goldstein said the Jewish Agency planned to expand the agricultural output of all settlements in the region.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
