Ben Gurion's home in Sde Boker
Ben Gurion's home in Sde BokerIsrael news photo: Flash 90

The Cabinet unanimously approved on Sunday an NIS 3 million plan to develop the heritage of David Ben-Gurion; the Government and Keren Hayesod will each provide NIS 1.5 million.

The decision was made as the government marked 38 years since Ben Gurion's death.

According to the plan, Ben-Gurion's "hut" at the kibbutz (communal settlement) of Sde Boker, his tomb and that of his wife Paula, also at Sde Boker, will be renovated.  The presentation for visitors at the site will be modernized.  This is being done "in order to strengthen awareness of David Ben-Gurion and his vision" the government said in a communiqué.

"Ben-Gurion's vision was to see a flourishing and prosperous Negev," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said. "We are working to build a national network of highways and railways, from the north to the center and through the Negev to Eilat, and are working to move IDF bases to the south. We are joining the periphery to the center and are developing the Negev."

"All of this," he explained, "is in the spirit of Ben-Gurion's vision.  The means may be different, but the goal is the same.  I am pleased that all of this joins in with the renovation of the Sde Boker site.  Its development is an additional and significant layer in implementing the Government's decision to develop our national heritage."