The National Council for Planning and Construction approved the establishment of a new Bedouin settlement in the Negev Highlands - "Abda".
The settlement is intended for residents of the "Bedouin diaspora" in the Negev Highlands region in the Negev Highlands Council, and will replace the plan that was to establish a settlement for them in Ramat Tzipporim.
The new settlement will have 500 housing units and will cover about 1,500 dunams.
Bedouin Authority Director Yair Maayan said: "This is a festive day for the Bedouin population in the Negev. The Bedouin Authority works on all levels to reduce the gaps between Bedouin citizens and Israeli society. We're working to reduce the gaps on all levels, both in the fields of education and employment and in the field of community development and regulation."