The Knesset Plenum on Wednesday approved in its first reading a bill that will provide economic assistance to Sderot and to communities around the border with the Gaza Strip.

The bill stipulates that all communities within 7 km of the Gaza Strip will be considered 'front line communities.' The new status will afford these communities rebates of up to 50% on property taxes paid over the last two years. The bill will call for the founding of a fund to assist small businesses, tax exemptions for area non-profit associations, and help for residents looking to buy or renovate houses in the area.

The bill is expected to cost close to NIS 500 million to implement.

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The bill also calls for a discount of 25% in taxes for those earning up to NIS 200,000 a year, similar to a bill passed for residents of the northern town of Kiryat Shmona.

Area residents would also be able to receive free daycare for children and free academic and vocational education courses.

The bill was presented by 80 MKs led by head of the Knesset Finance Committee Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beitenu) and MK Shai Hermesh (Kadima) and was approved by a vote of 74 to 46.

At the moment the bill was passed, a group of around 80 Sderot residents burst into applause.

Related article:
Frontline status approved for Sderot-area communities