Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel (Likud) referred to the closure of Sde Dov that she opposed in government vote, saying "Closing Sde Dov could inflict a fatal blow on Eilat's economy that is based on tourism, and beyond that will severely harm the ability of many city residents who need medical treatment in the center of the country.
"As long as there's no suitable alternative to allow the continued airlift of 800,000 people a year to and from Eilat, I strongly oppose the closure of Sde Dov," she said. "There's a general public interest here and it's our first duty as public emissaries," she said.