The Jewish Agency for Israel will invest $13.2 million to help southern Israeli communities affected this summer by the conflict with Gaza.
The aid package, announced this week at the agency’s board of governors meeting in Ashkelon, includes direct assistance to residents and businesses in areas near the Gaza border; grants for victims of rocket attacks; new and refurbished bomb shelters; loans for business owners; and support for new immigrants and students in the communities.
The gathering had been scheduled to take place in Mexico but was moved to southern Israel in a show of support for the communities after the summer. — jta