The government issued another declaration on Monday intended
to advance and develop extensive plans in Jerusalem,
including the construction of housing units for young
couples, employment and a downtown renewal program. Based on
instructions by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon the government
approved the NIS 280-million plan on Monday at a meeting held
at Ammunition Hill.
At Sharon's behest Finance Minister Netanyahu presented an
alternative to encourage housing in Jerusalem for young
couples based on a similar arrangement recently made in the
Negev and the Galilee or another arrangement.
According to the announcement issued by the Prime Minister's
Office the goal is to transform Jerusalem into a center of
employment and the government will act to encourage new
factories and other enterprises to come to the city and to
encourage the hiring of new personnel. Toward this end the
government will provide new enterprises with incentives in
industry as well as high-tech and communications workers. In
addition the government will grant stipends to college
students who continue to live and work in Jerusalem after
graduating. Assistance will be given to technology
greenhouses and extensive efforts will be made to promote the
city's tourism industry.
In order to expand the supply of housing in Jerusalem the
government will promote the planning and marketing of lands
designated for housing. The plan also calls for transferring
government institutions to the downtown area to attract other
activity. A plan will also be formulated to encourage the
construction of commercial and office buildings and to
improve the urban landscape.
The Prime Minister said the plan places Jerusalem where it
belongs and conveys a clear message regarding the Israeli
government's commitment to Jerusalem.
The new plan was launched following intensive lobbying by
Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky to promote these issues
ever since his election. In innumerable meetings with the PM,
Finance Minister Netanyahu and other ministers, Rabbi
Lupoliansky raised a range of issues related to buttressing
the City of Jerusalem and demanded increased funding for
development, construction of housing units for young couples,
the promotion of employment opportunities and the physical
development of the city.
A few weeks ago the Mayor even reached an agreement with the
Finance Minister to provide special incentives for housing,
employment and development. The plan, which came to be known
as "the Lupoliansky Package," promises to help make it
possible for many young couples to purchase apartments in
Jerusalem itself rather than in outlying areas.
Mayor Lupoliansky said at the core of the plan is housing
assistance and benefits for young couples, at least
comparable to the assistance available in the Negev and the
Galilee. Only this element of the plan will encourage young
couples to live in Jerusalem, he said.
