Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ra'anan Dinur, today, directed that summer camps – financed and supervised by the PMO and the Education Ministry, at an overall cost of approximately NIS 5 million – be held for the children of Sderot and other communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

The summer camps will take place this month in Sderot, and the Eshkol, Ashkelon Coast, Sdot Negev, and Sha'ar Hanegev regional councils, under the auspices of the Education Ministry Youth Division and the councils themselves.  Over 5,000 local children are expected to participate.

Education Minister Prof. Yuli Tamir: "I see great importance in the operation of the summer camps for the children of Sderot and the Gaza-adjacent communities, who experience stressful days throughout the year.  This is a good opportunity for them to escape routine, to take part in worthwhile activities and return to school invigorated."

PMO Dir.-Gen. Dinur said: "This endeavor joins the many programs which the Government supports for the welfare and benefit of residents of Sderot and the Gaza-adjacent communities, both in civilian aspects and regarding security and structural reinforcement.  All of this is part of our great appreciation of the area residents and of the desire to improve their lives and to allow children and their parents to enjoy the summer vacation."