Dear Partners and Friends,
Each year, as the New Year approaches, we at Regavim take a moment for introspection – as individuals and as members of the larger circles of our lives: family, community and nation. We look back on the year that has passed, and look ahead to the year that lies just around the corner.
The cusp of the new year also gives us an opportunity to thank you for your support over the course of the past year, and for your continued interest and participation in Regavim’s Zionist activism.
From our perspective, this past year was particularly challenging – which made our achievements, attained through constant, Sisyphean effort and unwavering focus, all the more significant.
In some cases, success was measured by our ability to prevent potentially catastrophic developments: We blocked dangerous initiatives by the Ra’am Party that would have had far-reaching, devastating impacts on the Negev. In other cases, our success created positive new realities: We helped formulate and promote the government decision to establish new communities in southern Israel while protecting our national land resources. We mobilized a coalition of organizations to fight the scourge of illegal quarrying in Judea and Samaria. We trained and mentored municipal land-protection specialists in the Judea and Samaria municipalities. Our very significant input resulted in the State Comptroller’s paradigm-changing report and recommendations, “Aspects of Governance in the Negev.” Thousands of copies of our most recent publication, “Bedouistan: How the State of Israel is Losing the Negev,” were sold, and this overview of our work has become a must-read for Israeli legislators and the public at large.
For all this, and so much more, we thank you.
At this very special time of year, as we do throughout the year, we remind ourselves that our work, our achievements, and the strength to face the challenges ahead are made possible by God’s help and your support.
May you and yours be blessed with a sweet and fulfilling new year, good health and good news.
From all of us at Regavim, Shana Tova!
