The government on Sunday approved a 22 million shekel ($6.1 million) plan to expand the Jewish community in Hebron. This is the first time since 1998 that a plan to expand the community has been put in motion.
The Jewish community in Hebron was founded in 1979 and currently numbers some 80 families.
The new neighborhood, set to be called Hezekiah Quarter, will include 31 homes that will increase the community's population by almost a third, as well as two kindergartens.
The land on which the new neighborhood will be built is owned by the Chabad hassidic movement. It is currently being used to house Israeli soldier's securing the community, located in the heart of a Palestinian city.
Some 14 government ministries contributed to the budget appropriation for the new neighborhood.
It later emerged that greenlighting the project would require downsizing the military base currently located on the same land.
The Committee of the Jewish Community of Hebron welcomed the move.
"We thank the government for its determined decision to build together, in a joint effort, the City of the Patriarchs of the Jewish people, in a resolute and triumphant answer to all those who deny history," the community said in a statement. "Our deep gratitude goes out to all the ministers who helped make this important decision."
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday that "this will be the first new Jewish neighborhood in Hebron in 20 years.
"In place of a military base, we will build new housing units, two kindergartens and a daycare center. This is another important step in the wide-ranging activities we are leading to bolster the Jewish settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria," he said.
