The Housing Ministry today invited the public to register for homes at Yamit, the controversial seaside town the government plans to build in the Rafah salient south of the Gaza Strip. Yamit will serve as a regional center for moshavim and kibbutzim in the region and will be developed as an industrial town and tourist resort.
The long-standing dispute over Yamit arose because the Rafah salient was taken over by the army several years ago as a security zone and Bedouin tribes in the region were dispossessed. The Bedouins were offered compensatory lands but “doveish” elements attacked the move in principle.
The development of Yamit was strongly advocated by former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and the government apparently intends to go ahead with its plans to create the new coastal town. The Housing Ministry said it hoped to have the first 165 housing units completed by August. The price of three and four room flats will be considerably lower than in most other parts of the country. Mortgages and loans will be offered at low interest rates. The Ministry said it will give priority to new immigrants and to persons whose professions or skills are needed for the development of the Rafah area.
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