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Israel might want island built off coast of Gazoo
Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, who is also transportation minister, presented his vision for Israel to become a trade bridge between the Mediterranean Sea and countries to its east by revving up the historic Jezreel Valley Railway line, part of an train network in the region active during the first half of the twentieth century, under Ottoman and British rule. He revealed that Turkish trucks are already making use of Israel’s strategic position, which offers a detour around war-torn Syria.“Turkish trucks are already bringing goods to the east via Haifa port. They are using the Israeli route as an alternative to the Syrian route, which can’t be used due to the situation there,” he said. Katz also took the opportunity to raise the subject of creating an international island in the sea opposite the Gaza Strip to act as a port with a bridge to the land for the transfer of people and goods. “This plan could contribute much to easing the pressure on the residents of the Strip, while further advancing the separation from Israel,” he explained, and noted that Israel’s security leadership is very interested in the idea. “I hope that the highest political leadership will have the courage and determination to make a decision,” he said. In February the Hebrew-language Haaretz daily reported that senior IDF officials support the idea of easing the pressure on Hamas, the de facto ruler of Gaza, amid a worsening economic situation in Gaza that could lead to new conflict, by giving the territory access to a seaport. It said a range of possible port arrangements — including an artificial offshore island — are being discussed at senior military and political levels. Posted by: Steve White 2016-06-17 |
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