Israeli Cabinet Approves Construction of Tel Aviv-Eilat Rail Line

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's Cabinet approved the construction of a railway line from Tel Aviv to Eilat, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

"The 350-kilometer line will be for passengers and freight alike," and according to the statement, "is due to shorten travel time to a mere two hours."

PM Netanyahu said that, "We have the ability to create an alternative transportation route that bypasses the Suez Canal – this is an insurance policy.  Israel must become a continental land crossing route and create great power interests.  The Tel Aviv-Eilat railway line, which will shorten travel time to two hours, will change the face of the country.  For 63 years, there has been talk about linking up the periphery to the center, but nothing has been done.  The railway line and Israel's natural gas resources can forge strong links in the economic, energy and industrial fields."

The project is expected to take five years from the start of construction.