KKL-JNF approves NIS 33 million for rehabilitation of 22 communities on the Lebanon border

The board of KKL-JNF has approved a budget of NIS 33 million to support 22 communities on the northern border, located 2-5 km from the Lebanon border. Each community will receive NIS 1.5 million for infrastructure rehabilitation, public building fortification, and open space development. The decision is based on a tiered support model according to distance from the border. KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrensky said the rehabilitation will not stop at the 2 km line.

The board of the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has approved a budget of NIS 33 million to support 22 communities on the northern border, located 2 to 5 kilometers from the Lebanon border. The decision was made on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Each community that was evacuated during the fighting and has not yet received support from KKL-JNF will receive NIS 1.5 million for rehabilitation and infrastructure development. Among the communities: Ma'ayan Baruch, Dan, Beit Hillel, Ramot Naftali, Liman, Even Menachem, Elkosh, Goren, Manot, Avdon, Kerem Ben Zimra, and Alma. The model is based on distance from the border: contact line communities (Manara, Dovv) are eligible for NIS 2.5-3 million; the current communities (2-5 km) receive NIS 1.5 million; and in the next phase, support of about NIS 1 million is planned for communities 5-9 km from the border. The funds are intended for infrastructure development, fortification of public buildings (kindergartens, clubs, dining halls), and cultivation of public spaces. The decision on projects will be made independently by residents and local management. KKL-JNF teams are expected to arrive in the communities in the coming days to finalize the project list, aiming to begin implementation within about a month and a half. KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrensky said, "The rehabilitation efforts in the north will not stop at the 2 km line" and that KKL-JNF will remain "shoulder to shoulder" with the residents. Secretary-General of the Moshav Movement Amit Yifrach welcomed the decision. The move joins additional investments by KKL-JNF in Tiberias (NIS 35 million), Carmiel, Afula, and Beit She'an.