Negev Desert
Israel is advancing a $31.8 million initiative to encourage demographic and economic growth in the country’s south.
At the 2025 Tribute Brunch sponsored by the Philadelphia and Delaware chapters of Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU), the theme was decidedly on revving up that engine.
“It’s important to laugh,” Doug Seserman, outgoing CEO of A4BGU, said as he formally welcomed attendees, six days after the release of the 20 living Israeli hostages from Gaza.
Over 2,500 new residents moved to the Western Negev since Oct. 7, primarily to the city of Sderot.
“Standing here, I couldn’t be prouder to be a Jew and a Zionist; to me, they are the same,” said Esther Panitch, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Two UAVs were downed in the southern Negev and the Arava. The third UAV’s location was not specified by the military.
Spear-leaved dogbane blooming in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens originate from specimens collected decades ago in the Negev Desert.
“We are not settling for recovery; we are building a stronger, safer future,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.
The project is part of an effort to recreate a renowned ancient wine that was once exported throughout Europe.
Thirty-three civilians and security personnel were killed in the span of 40 minutes during the Hamas-led invasion of the Negev city.
The suspect, identified only as a minor from the Negev, was taken into custody in May.
The IDF said it “will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to ensure the security of the civilians of the State of Israel.”
