“European countries want to fund Haifa-Amman rail line”

Before Israel’s independence in 1948, the Jezreel Valley rail line ran from Haifa to Jordan and Damascus.

“European countries are proposing financing the Jezreel Valley rail line from Haifa to Amman, using the old Hejaz railway route,” said Ministry of Transport Gideon Siterman during a meeting with Jordan’s Ambassador to Israel Ali Al-Ayed. Ministry of Transport Shaul Mofaz also attended the meeting. The parties also discussed building a joint Eilat-Aqaba airport.

Before Israel’s independence in 1948, the Jezreel Valley rail line ran from Haifa to Jordan and Damascus, and the track is still in place. A few years ago, it was decided to rebuild the line, although it has not yet been budgeted. The recent cut in the Israel Railways budget has delayed matters even more. European funding would probably give the plan a boost.

The idea for a joint Eilat-Aqaba airport came up after Eilat’s mayor demanded that the present Eilat Airport be moved because it blocked the city’s development. Alternatives to a joint airport include proposals for a new airport at Timna or Beer Ora.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 13, 2006

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2006

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