The annual Urban Renewal Conference of the Israeli Building Center, which opened yesterday in Jerusalem, became the arena for a frontal confrontation between local government and the State. At the center of the discussion, Benny Biton, Mayor of Dimona and Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities, leveled harsh criticism at the Ministry of Finance and even issued a dramatic ultimatum regarding the continuation of construction in cities.

"I am saying here for the first time – if the State does not wake up and understand the magnitude of the hour, I will stop all roof agreements with the Ministry of Finance," Biton declared during the conference. According to him, the change in the construction mix implemented by the Ministry of Finance has turned new construction into a direct financial burden on local authorities. Biton explained the economic situation behind the threat and said: "Every apartment built today represents a loss of NIS 5,000 for the municipality's coffers. We are on the front lines, and we cannot be expected to absorb these losses."

Alongside the threats to halt the roof agreements, Biton announced a significant move expected to take effect in the coming days for residents of the periphery. According to the Mayor of Dimona, "This week we will announce Dimona, Arad, and Rehovot as part of the urban renewal plan per the government decision."

Eran Rolls, Chairman of the Israeli Building Center, addressed the role of the conference against the backdrop of the crisis and said: "Urban renewal has become the most important strategic engine for the growth of our cities. This conference is not just a place for a professional meeting, but the arena where we turn barriers into solutions. Our goal is to create real collaborations between the authorities, developers, and regulators, to ensure that cities in Israel will be not only safer and stronger, but also more advanced and of higher quality for the residents."

The annual Urban Renewal Conference hosts top decision-makers in the economy, including dozens of mayors, regulators, and developers. The meeting is designed to hold a practical dialogue on the future of planning and construction in Israel, and its declared goal is to bridge the gap that currently exists between urban vision and actual execution on the ground.