The newly formed Tekuma ("Revival") Administration that has been tasked with helping rebuild the decimated communities from the Oct. 7 attack has recently decided to advance legislation that would allow the rapid construction of homes for evacuees, potentially threatening nature reserves and forests in Israel, prompting KKL-JNF to warn that while it considered the renewal of the communities through housing solutions a paramount priority, this should not come at the expense of the quality of life and the environment in Israel.

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On Sunday, the Knesset will hold a hearing on the objections raised to various plans by the Tekuma ("Revival") Administration.

KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski sent an urgent letter to the Chairman of the Knesset House Committee and the directors-general of the Prime Minister's Office and the Interior Ministry, the head of the Tekuma Administration, the heads of planning authorities, warning of the danger and emphasizing that forests are public property belonging to the entire public.

"The forested areas shape the variety of the country's landscapes, and their contribution is crucial in preserving ecological systems," wrote Ovadia-Luski. "Already today, we witness a significant reduction in open spaces in Israel, with an emphasis on forested areas. Preserving these areas contributes to the quality of life and national resilience. There is no justification for distinguishing between protected areas. They are equally important for all the country's residents."

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The Economy and Industry Ministry's Investment and Development Authority has approved an investment plan of NIS 94 million ($27.6 million) for Israeli gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum Industries to build another factory in the southern city of Sderot.

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The plan is expected to create 53 new jobs, in addition to the 93 workers the company currently employs.

TopGum began operations in 2004, and within a few years became a major producer of gummy confectionery. In 2018, TopGum leveraged its extensive experience in formulation to launch its functional gummy supplements portfolio.

Last year, TopGum launched its sugar-free vegan gummy supplement line of Gummiceuticals. The patent-pending formulation is based on a dietary prebiotic fiber formulation and uses no added sugars or any sugar alcohols. It can be labeled as "sugar-free" in the US.

The company has already begun construction of its new, $30 million, 11,000-square-meter plant 1.5 hours south of Tel Aviv. The facility, joining the company's existing production plant, is expected to be fully operational in mid-2023 and triple TopGum's production capacity.

Fully equipped with high-precision manufacturing technology adapted to TopGum's propriety production process, the new facility will include robotics and automated systems throughout the production line, with cutting-edge technology and meets FDA and TGA regulations.

Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivai said: "The establishment of the cutting-edge factory in Sderot is wonderful news for the entire [southern] region and Israeli industry. The Economy and Industry ministry is committed to supporting blue-and-white industry, through grants provided by the Investment and Development Authority and in any way that increases productivity, advances innovation, and creates new jobs."

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi called the investment "tremendous and important tidings on the local level but also on the national level. This is for Israeli pride, because if we thought that cutting-edge innovation can only be found in high-tech and cyber, then local industry is proving otherwise. TopGum's courageous decision to stay in Sderot in times that were tough from a security perspective has led to this successful outcome. We will continue to stand alongside the industrialists and company owners. We will support them and strengthen local employment, and thus bolster the Israeli economy."

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According to the head of the Investment and Development Authority, Shlomo Attias, "Approval of the plan to invest in the TopGum factory in Sderot is another reflection of our efforts to increase industrial productivity, bolster the periphery, and accelerate economic growth. The food-tech industry is in a period of growth and the plan we approved will give another push in this important field. TopGum is further proof that Israeli innovation doesn't end with high-tech and cyber, and can also be found on the assembly lines and outside of Tel Aviv."

Hai Yakov Hayoun said: "On behalf of myself and the management team, I want to thank the Investment and Development Authority and the Economy and Industry Ministry for believing in and helping us over the years. The factory that is being built will consist of two production divisions. One will operate under the FDA's strict Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for pharmaceutical products. The factory will be equipped with the most advanced technology of its kind. We are proud to establish another factory in Sderot and to support the residents of the south, as we have done for years."

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Israel isn't likely to meet its long-term carbon-emission objectives after the so-called climate bill wasn't brought before the Ministerial Committee for Legislation this week due to "time constraints."

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Regardless, Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg vowed: "It was decided that this important and urgent issue will be presented at the next meeting, and that time will be dedicated for a deep discussion. All government ministries are on board with the agreements that will facilitate the ratification of this historic law, and we will legislate it by the end of the [Knesset's] summer session."

However, it now appears that even if the law is passed by the end of the summer session, Israel will still fail to meet its goal of cutting its greenhouse gases by 27% by 2030. What's also certain is that the Russian invasion of Ukraine and consequent destabilization of the world security and energy order – which has seen oil prices soar beyond the $100 per barrel threshold – means there's now a good chance that things will get even worse and that many countries across the globe will find themselves lacking energy capabilities and any ability to provide electricity and gas for cars and industry. This is a snowball that could bankrupt countries and cause widespread, devastating collapse.

In 2020, 6.7% of Israel's electricity came from renewable energy sources – against its stated goal of 10%. At the current rate, the country is on course to produce 20% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030 – against its goal of 27%.

"From work with experts in the [renewable energy] field and companies that operate in Israel and also with European Union countries, we see that what's possible to achieve in one year [elsewhere], in Israel the same process takes four years," explained attorney Moshe Abekasis, who specializes in transactions in the field of renewable solar energy, with an emphasis on the application of agricultural land.

"In Israel," Abekasis continued, "despite its desire to meet its objectives, there's actually over-regulation and not always congruence between the government echelon and its declarations and the actions being taken by the other planning and regulatory authorities."

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Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center  Chairman Dani Dayan on Wednesday announced plans to dedicate Holocaust memorial center in northern Israel.

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This would be the first initiative of its kind since Yad Vashem was built in Jerusalem in 1953.

Some $5 million have been earmarked for the center's construction in Nof HaGalil (formerly Nazareth Illit.)Once open, it will operate as a museum by a permanent staff trained by Yad Vashem and will head documentation, research and education activities pertaining to the Holocaust.

According to Dayan, setting up such a center in northern Israel translates the museum's policy regarding ensuring the entire population as access to documents and the commemoration of the Holocaust.

Nof HaGalil Mayor Ronen Plot said the center "will make the commemoration of the Holocaust accessible to both residents and visitors to the area and it will help instill the memory of the Holocaust and its meanings for future generations."

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The series of small earthquakes that were felt in Israel in recent weeks has pushed Israel's natural disaster readiness front and center, but a report by the Knesset Research and Information Center warns that the state has actually grossly neglected earthquakes readiness nationwide.

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The study, compiled at the request of United Torah Judaism MK Yisrael Eichler has found that there is virtually no seismic strengthening of existing buildings, which could spell a catastrophe in the event of a massive quake.

Focusing on Tama 38 – the acronym by which the national outline plan for reinforcing buildings against earthquakes is known – the study has found that only 70 buildings directly on the Great Rift Valley have been reinforced.

According to estimates by the Housing and Construction Ministry, there are about 80,000 three-story buildings in Israel that need reinforcement. They house about 810,000 apartments.

In addition, according to assessments by the inter-ministerial steering committee for earthquake readiness, in the event of a strong earthquake, in addition to injuries, about 28,600 buildings may be severely damaged or leveled altogether, and about 290,000 buildings would sustain medium or minor damage.

The steering committee further pegged the number of buildings that must be reinforced in 10 cities in areas prone to earthquakes is 1,871 buildings that house 36,758 apartments, which are also in need of missile protection reinforcement.

The cost of the said undertaking is estimated at 3.9 billion shekels ($1.2 billion), the committee said.

"This is a total and utter failure," Eichler said. "We have been sitting for years on the Subcommittee for Home Front Defense, talking about earthquakes and the need to reinforce buildings, and it is unbelievable that absolutely nothing has been done."

The Knesset Research and Information Center further found that since the rollout of the Tama 38 plan in 2005, only 1,337 – 1.7% – of all high-risk buildings in Israel have been reinforced. Some 76% of the buildings that have been reinforced for earthquakes are in central Israel and 5% in the northern and southern districts.

In 2019, the government decided to shelve the national seismic strengthening plan by the end of 2022, citing its failure to promote its goal to the required extent, and its inapplicability in peripheral localities, where it is actually needed the most.

The plan also failed to meet its goals as a vehicle for urban rejuvenation, partly due to a lack of planning and, in doing so, a lack of response to the needs of the infrastructure and public buildings that its implementation would require.

In November 2020, the government established a team to examine complementary tools to encourage the earthquakes reinforcement of residential buildings at-risk areas in the periphery.

According to the decision, the inter-ministerial team, headed by the director-general of the Interior Ministry, will recommend to the government the necessary course of action to encourage the seismic reinforcement of residential buildings built before 1980, in high-risk areas in the periphery.

Still, the Knesset's report casts doubt on the plan's feasibility, mostly because it does not detail the type of plans that would be acceptable or how they could be worked into existing urban rejuvenation schemes.

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Visitors to the Cave of Elijah in Haifa were shocked to discover this week the desecration of holy items at the site, which is currently under construction. Photos received by the Israel Hayom real estate supplement shows sacred objects scattered around the cave and rolls of toilet paper stacked on top of Torah scrolls. Some scrolls were also found strewn around on the floor, with Elijah's chair used as scaffolding. 

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Amir Harel, who took the photos, said the moment he saw the desecration he burst into tears.

"The place is revered by millions of Jews. My grandmother used to bring me here when I was a child … I turned to the guard, but he told me the workers disregard the sanctity of the place and the Jewish objects, and reported it, but to no avail."

Harel added that generations made great sacrifices to be able to come to Israel and "have the privilege to visit the Cave of Elijah and read from the Torah scroll that is now on the floor."

Earlier this week, the Haifa municipality announced the site would reopen to visitors in the spring. 

Last week, during a tour of the site that included Rabbi of the Western Wall Shmuel Rabinovitch and benefactor Alberto Kochav, Mayor Einat Klish Rotem presented the progress of the renovation works. 

She said, among other things, that "We succeeded in increasing the budget for the restoration and accessibility work in the cave. The site will be able to hold three times more visitors."

Construction of the Cave of Elijah began two years ago. The 15 million shekel project will see the establishment of a visitors center, souvenir shop, event hall, and cafeteria. The site will also be made fully accessible for people with disabilities. 

The photos were forwarded to the Haifa municipality, which said the incident was "indeed shocking," but the construction was not their "responsibility."

The Israel Hayom real estate supplement reached out to the Religious Services Ministry for comment. 

"The issue will be addressed urgently," it said in response. 

According to Jewish tradition, the cave is where prophet Elijah took shelter during a journey into the wilderness.

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When you ask the locals why they don't leave Netivot, the answer is nearly uniform: "The food here is the best!" Today, a number of culinary tours are regularly held in the southern city, revealing magical, tasty spots that are mostly out of sight. Beyond the surprising dishes hiding in Netivot's kitchens, there's also the encounter with the residents and business owners behind the stories – the people who make Netivot so special, magical, and above all – delicious.

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It all begins with the town's founders, who arrived here from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Over the years, tastes developed, combining old and new and different communities and cultures. Most of the participants in culinary tours in the city have never been to Netivot and only have a stereotyped perception of the city. Those who have visited the city for the first time and enjoyed its delicacies are the best ambassadors. With the help of Einav Levi, who's been taking visitors on social tours of the city for the past seven years and has lately added culinary tours as well, we chose a few places that are a must for every visitor. Netivot's old market has a number of veteran restaurants that have long been culinary institutions, visited by thousands every week.

One is Zigdon restaurant, founded over 60 years ago. About a year ago, founder Amos Zigdon passed away. His son, Michael, took over managing the family business. At the restaurant, you can enjoy a large variety of dishes, such as fricassee, Tunisian vegetable pancakes, falafel, shawarma, and salads of all kinds.

They say that Amos was the first to sell falafel in Netivot. When you arrive, you will be welcomed by Michael, who has a charming smile and is highly service-oriented. Our recommendation – take a big bite from the Tunisian koftas. 

A few steps further on you'll find Adam's Brika – a tiny shop that doesn't even have a sign, but you'll easily recognize it by the long line at the entrance. Hundreds come here every day to taste the famously delicious brika. Adam Houri began making brikas in 1955, when he was 17, in faraway Tunis. A year later, he immigrated to Israel and landed in Netivot; he's part of the city's founding generation. The city's veterans remember the first shop he opened, right near the old cinema. At the time, the story goes, if you wanted another egg in the brika you had to bring the egg from home, since eggs were so expensive back then. With time, the shop moved to the courtyard of the old market. Its secret lies in the home-made red harissa sauce, the recipe for which is zealously guarded by the owners. About seven years ago, Adam entrusted the shop's management to his grandson Nehorai, who continues in the tradition of his beloved grandfather. The recommended way of eating the brika is, of course, with red harissa sauce and a cold Tropit, also sold in the shop.

Netivot Bakery, better known as Ohayun Bakery, is located in the Netivot old market. It's existed for decades, baking frena, ciabatta, pita bread, baguettes, and a large variety of other breads. They also sell other pastries such as bourekas, croissants, cakes, and more. The bakery is open until the early hours, so for many youth it's the favorite place to end a night out with a warm, tasty Turkish borek. Don't miss the frena bread sold here, which you can serve at your Friday night dinner with salads or Moroccan fish. The bakery is open around the clock.

An unforgettable tour

 Meir Bonfed opened Joya Sushi Bar seven years ago. In fact, this is the first sushi restaurant opened in Netivot. Meir says that his dream was to bring the tastes of the Far East to Netivot and make good, delicious sushi made of high-quality raw materials, vegetables, and fresh fish. I remember the effort he put into acquainting the region's residents with the new tastes – an effort that bore fruit, and today the restaurant has become famous, drawing crowds from the entire region. Besides sushi, you can also order stir-fried dishes, pad kapao, dumplings, eggrolls, and a variety of other dishes identified with the Far East. My recommendation: don't miss the "Meir," the most unique roll on the menu. Joya has a kashrut certificate from Badatz Beit Yosef.

Patisserie Nichochot Haim is owned by Haim Dimri, one of the best-known and beloved residents of the region. He often appears on morning talk shows and in food sections, is complimented by leaders of the Israeli culinary industry, and recently took part in the TV show The Perfect Dessert, where he reached the semi-finals. At his patisserie you can find a large variety of unique, impressive, and highly creative desserts. Dimri succeeds in bringing the aroma of Paris to Netivot – in his shop you can find a very large variety of desserts such as éclairs with different fillings, cheesecakes, window display gourmet desserts, sourdough breads, and more. Make sure to spend some time in the shop – treat yourself to a warm drink with a dessert from the window display.

 Basher Fromagerie in the Paris Center complex is one of the venues that attracts tourists from all over the country. As a foodie, I was very impressed with the cheese shop that sells kosher cheese from all over the world. The store is managed by the lovely Shira Cohen, who started out as a worker in Basher's Beersheba branch and today is a partner in the Netivot shop. Shira has immense knowledge of the shop's products and the field she has made the center of her life, and she is able to transmit that knowledge to the many customers who visit the store. Each time she teaches me about another new cheese I didn't know of. I recommend a glass of wine with a slice of village bread smeared with truffle butter, a favorite spread, and a little bowl of olives – a perfect combination. 

Adi Rozen, the owner of "Culinary Story," recognized the city's culinary potential and created a 3.5-hour tour that combines luxury with simplicity, innovation with authenticity.

For example, the tour begins beneath the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Center, where participants taste the best cheeses in the world alongside sips of wine; the next stop is the market, where they try Adam and Nehorai's brikas at a shop founded 46 years ago (that doesn't even have a sign), go on to the Zigdon falafel restaurant, and dine on authentic, handmade couscous with kofta at a 50-year-old restaurant while hearing about the surprising night life that has developed around the restaurant, with the full cooperation of the owners.

Next, they eat at young, innovative locations such as Pizza della Vita – a real Neapolitan pizzeria where the pizza is cut with scissors like in Napoli; Joya, a sushi restaurant where they can enjoy a surprising sushi roll with a twist of lemon and a crispy eggroll and hear the exciting stories told by Meir, the owner. On each tour, Meir tells of the long road he's traveled since opening the sushi restaurant in the middle of the market, where he was seen as an oddball until turning the restaurant into the most successful of its kind. The peak of the tour is the Patisserie Nichochot Haim, where participants treat themselves to a dish from a table covered with colorful and very tasty French gourmet desserts made by Chef Haim Dimri.

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"For me, food is more than just feeling satiated," explains Einav Levi. "Here, food is a mirror of the people's soul. For generations, they've been transmitting culinary secrets from father to son and from mother to daughter. On the other hand, we see the growth of a new generation with a connection to, and interest in, dishes from different cultures around the world."

"These tours contribute a great deal to the local economy, and just by bringing tourists, they help the residents of the south make a decent living," sums up Adi Rozen. "I also feel a true transformation with each tour that brings visitors to Netivot. The common perception is that the city's residents are mostly ultra-Orthodox, and people don't understand what's special about it. At the end of the tour, they realize the many treasures the city has to offer. Today, when traveling abroad has become complex, these tours offer a great opportunity to discover all the good things we have right here."

This article was produced courtesy of the Special Real Estate Magazine

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Apple's offices in Haifa will span 28,000 square meters (301,390 sq. ft.). The company will also lease 620 underground parking spaces at the Matam High Tech and Business Park in Haifa.

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According to media reports, the multinational technology giant's lease is for a period of seven years, for roughly $9 million a year, with an option to extend it further. Apple employees are expected to move into their Haifa offices in late 2022.

Apple started its activities in Israel in 2012 after it acquired Israeli startup Anobit for $390 million. The US firm now has R&D centers in Herzliya and Haifa, with a total of some 1,000 employees.

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Over 80% of respondents from the high-tech, industrial, and trade sectors think that the peace agreement will have a positive effect, compared to 60% of respondents from the construction sector.

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Two-third of respondents from the high-tech sector (67%) said that they were already actively looking into business opportunities in the UAE, and 57% of respondents in the trade sector said they intended to fly to the UAE within a year to probe possibilities of doing business there.

Meanwhile, 22% of respondents said they already had business dealings in the UAE, directly or through third parties.

The survey showed that the areas of most interest to Israeli companies were agriculture and industry. Other key business sectors of interest included real estate and infrastructure and high-tech. However, only 2% of respondents expressed interest in finance dealings.

When asked if they would consider holding conference or company vacations in the UAE, 26% of respondents said they would, with 24% saying they would not, and 50% saying it was too early to know if they would or would not.

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Ofer Petersburg is scheduled to be part of a business delegation to the UAE at the end of this year. 

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