Prime Minister Naftali Bennett intends to dramatically increase the number of Israelis living on the Golan Heights. Speaking at the Makor Rishon Golan Conference in the village of Hispin Oct. 11, Bennett said that in six weeks, his government will present a plan to greatly increase the Golan Heights' Israeli population. The plan includes the construction of two new towns as well as expansion of existing communities and investment in local infrastructure. Several ministers on the right and center including Justice Minister Gideon Saar of New Hope, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked of Yamina and Energy Minister Karin Elharar of Yesh Atid participated in the conference on the economic development of the region.
President Isaac Herzog opened the conference. In his opening remarks, he said that while Israelis tend to pay attention to the region in times of security crisis, the state must address its needs in normal times by developing the full potential of the Golan Heights.
