Eisenkot's billion-shekel plan for the north: "We will be judged by results on the ground"

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is expected to unveil today a plan to rehabilitate the north costing 15 billion shekels, including six billion for fortification and nine billion for various life domains. Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Division at the Finance Ministry, claims funding will come from canceling coalition funds and a budget of 7-9 billion shekels for non-compliant entities. The plan includes establishing a regional enforcement unit, increasing investment in education, and urban renewal in Kiryat Shmona.

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is expected to unveil today (Monday) a plan to rehabilitate the north with a total cost of 15 billion shekels. The project includes rehabilitating the fortification system of northern communities with an investment of six billion shekels, and nine billion to be invested in industry, agriculture, education, health, and tourism. The project was prepared by Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Division at the Finance Ministry and a candidate on the Yashar list for the Knesset. The plan sets targets to advance the completion of fortification from 2035 to 2030, with fortification of ground-level structures 1-5 km from the border by the end of 2028 and ground-level structures 5-9 km by the end of 2029. On personal security, Eisenkot commits to establishing a regional enforcement unit headed by a deputy police chief with 300 officers. In education, the party promises to increase investment to 7,000 shekels per child per year for five years and to open a regional excellence model in Kiryat Shmona and Nahariya. A special chapter is dedicated to Kiryat Shmona, which suffered severe damage after October 7, promising to anchor its status as the district capital of the Eastern Galilee and promote an urban renewal plan. Meridor claims this is a realistic plan, not an election gimmick, and that funding will come from canceling coalition funds and canceling a budget of 7-9 billion shekels for non-compliant entities. Eisenkot said the next government will be judged in the north by results on the ground, including the return of full security, completed fortification, families returning, businesses opening, and infrastructure built.