(by Aldo Baquis) (ANSAmed) - JERUSALEM, 6 FEBRUARY - After
30 years of doubts, Israel finally launched into the
construction of a railway line between the Mediterranean and the
Red Sea. The land transport line is an alternative to the Suez
Canal, even if it is likely to be more expensive. "This is a
strategic move", Israel's Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
stated yesterday, after the initiative was approved by the
government. Israel, as it was explained, counts on emerging
economies, such as China, India and Japan and offers to act as a
bridge connecting Asia and Europe. Israel wishes to involve
Jordan in the project: indeed, Jordan's port of Aqaba (near the
Israeli port of Eilat) seems suitable for the sorting out of
containers travelling to the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa.
"We will enjoy the benefits of this initiative for the 50 years to come", the Prime Minister stated. He was making reference to the wealth that Israel hopes to achieve thanks to large natural gas fields detected in its Mediterranean sea territory, which could be of interest for Israeli's Asian partners.
Tel Aviv and Eilat are at a 350 km distance from each other: according to the military radio, such a distance can be covered my modern passenger trains in two hours, since these trains can travel up to a speed of 300 km/h in some stretches. The development of tourism is also important; however, the Israeli government would have not been convinced to launch the project if it wasn't for freight transport. Ship transport remains cheaper that land transport; however, it looks like Israel wants to create an option allowing to reduce dependence from the Suez Canal at the international level. This is especially important in times of political instability. Only the day before yesterday, in Northern Sinai some terrorists sabotaged the Egyptian gas pipeline, blocking the transport of gas to Israel and Jordan once again. According to Israel's pro-government daily newspaper Makor Rishon, some Chinese and Indian leaders have already expressed their interest in the railway line stretching over the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. There were some high-profile visits and Netanyahu himself will go to China in a couple of months. The newspaper speculated that construction works may be awarded to Chinese companies, which are highly skilled in the field. However, this is not openly stated in the proposal passed by the government. There are three options at stake: Israel might ask either a foreign country or international investors to contribute. The third option is Israel using its own resources to fund the railways. "We would like to foster in emerging economies a strategic interest for Israel", Netanyahu explained. "We must make the most out of our geo-political position. It was an advantage for us in the remote past and will still be so in the future. We will act as a link between Europe, the Middle East and Asia", Netanyahu concluded.
(ANSAmed).
"We will enjoy the benefits of this initiative for the 50 years to come", the Prime Minister stated. He was making reference to the wealth that Israel hopes to achieve thanks to large natural gas fields detected in its Mediterranean sea territory, which could be of interest for Israeli's Asian partners.
Tel Aviv and Eilat are at a 350 km distance from each other: according to the military radio, such a distance can be covered my modern passenger trains in two hours, since these trains can travel up to a speed of 300 km/h in some stretches. The development of tourism is also important; however, the Israeli government would have not been convinced to launch the project if it wasn't for freight transport. Ship transport remains cheaper that land transport; however, it looks like Israel wants to create an option allowing to reduce dependence from the Suez Canal at the international level. This is especially important in times of political instability. Only the day before yesterday, in Northern Sinai some terrorists sabotaged the Egyptian gas pipeline, blocking the transport of gas to Israel and Jordan once again. According to Israel's pro-government daily newspaper Makor Rishon, some Chinese and Indian leaders have already expressed their interest in the railway line stretching over the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. There were some high-profile visits and Netanyahu himself will go to China in a couple of months. The newspaper speculated that construction works may be awarded to Chinese companies, which are highly skilled in the field. However, this is not openly stated in the proposal passed by the government. There are three options at stake: Israel might ask either a foreign country or international investors to contribute. The third option is Israel using its own resources to fund the railways. "We would like to foster in emerging economies a strategic interest for Israel", Netanyahu explained. "We must make the most out of our geo-political position. It was an advantage for us in the remote past and will still be so in the future. We will act as a link between Europe, the Middle East and Asia", Netanyahu concluded.
(ANSAmed).
