Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a discussion on the Ayalon Park project.

Environment Minister Shalom Simhon, Interior Minister Ophir Pines-Paz, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai, Ramat Gan Mayor Zvi Bar, Israel Land Administration Director Yaakov Efrati and Bracha Fund representatives attended the meeting.  The husband and children of former Environment Minister, the late Yehudit Naot, were also present.

Prime Minister Sharon noted the late Yehudit Naot’s great contribution in promoting the Ayalon Park project: “I remember our joint tour of the Hiriya area, how her eyes lit up when she spoke about the plan to build Ayalon Park.  Yehudit Naot was an exceptional minister who well understood the environment in both the short and long terms.”

Prime Minister Sharon emphasized that he opposes construction on the Park
grounds: “On the eve of the National Planning and Building Council vote, it became clear to me that they were planning to build in the park.  Immediately, at 00:30, I telephoned people at my office and saw to it that there would be no construction in the park.  Thus, at the last minute, we succeeded in saving this park from construction.
This appears to me to be a matter of great importance.”

Prime Minister Sharon was briefed on plans to begin development of the park and for establishing a body to be responsible for the work.

The Bracha Fund representatives said that the Fund would, in the first stage, approximately NIS 50 million would be earmarked for the development of the park and added that the Fund views continued investment in the park as one of its main goals in the coming years.

Israel Land Administration Director Efrati said that the Authority would release the lands needed for the park as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Sharon instructed Environment Minister Simhon and interior Minister Pines-Paz to submit a draft decision on the management of the park and the concomitant economic arrangements to the Cabinet as soon as possible.