Government Advances Plugot Haredi City Near Kiryat Gat

The Israeli government has approved an initial move to examine the establishment of Plugot Haredi City, a new ultra-Orthodox city planned adjacent to Kiryat Gat. The proposed development could include up to 30,000 housing units and is intended to provide a long-term housing solution for Israel’s rapidly growing Haredi population while preserving Kiryat Gat’s existing character.

The government decided today (Sunday) that the Ministry of Construction and Housing will examine the establishment of “Plugot ” — a new Haredi city of up to 30,000 housing units. The city would be built adjacent to Kiryat Gat and may include the new Haredi neighborhoods originally planned within Kiryat Gat itself, to prevent the city from becoming predominantly Haredi.

The government approved a proposal by Minister of Construction and Housing Haim Katz to assign the ministry to lead an inter-ministerial staff review to assess the housing needs of the Haredi public, including the possible establishment of a new Haredi-character city west of Route 40, next to Kiryat Gat. At this stage, the city is temporarily named “Plugot” according to a statement from the Housing Minister’s office.

“As part of the decision, the Ministry of Construction and Housing will coordinate a professional inter-ministerial review in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior, and the Planning Administration, which will examine within 100 days the full range of aspects required to establish the settlement — infrastructure, economics, demography, employment, commerce, environment, and public services,” the statement said. “After conclusions are formulated, the findings will be brought for discussion before the National Planning and Building Council and subsequently to the government for a final decision.”

About a month ago, The Marker revealed the emerging proposal, according to which the new city could include up to 30,000 housing units and house as many as 150,000 residents. It was also reported that several thousand housing units already marketed by the Israel Land Authority for Haredi neighborhoods in Kiryat Gat may be reassigned to the jurisdiction of the new Plugot Haredi City. The decision was formulated in coordination with Kiryat Gat Mayor Kfir Suissa, who is interested in maintaining the city’s non-Haredi character.

Minister Haim Katz stated: “The State of Israel must already prepare today for the housing needs of the coming decades. The Haredi population is growing rapidly, and the state is obligated to provide planned, responsible, and infrastructure-based solutions. Today’s decision is a strategic step that ensures long-term planning, a full professional review, and a genuine response to demand.”

Director-General of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, Yehuda Morgenstern, said: “We are launching a professional, thorough, and swift staff review that will examine all planning, economic, and social aspects, as well as the regional impact. The clear goal is to create housing solutions for all Israeli citizens, with appropriate infrastructure and a comprehensive regional outlook. The Ministry of Construction and Housing will lead the process in cooperation with all relevant bodies to bring a professional recommendation to the government.”

Director-General of the Ministry of Interior, Israel Ozen, added: “I welcome the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee to examine the creation of a new Haredi-character city in the Kiryat Gat area — Plugot. The Ministry of Interior is a significant partner in advancing the decision and will continue to play a central role in the review process, including examining all municipal and planning aspects required to establish a new city that will address the housing shortage and be tailored to the Haredi population.”