(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)
Speaking with reporters on Sunday, 20 Teves, at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke about Israel’s future and the fact that the country is one of the most crowded in the world.
“Today, I will submit for Cabinet approval the formation of a team that will move forward on the construction of artificial islands. Israel is one of the most crowded countries in the world; it is predicted that by mid-century it might well be the most crowded in the world. We have coasts on which we have built infrastructures such as desalination plants, power stations and other infrastructures. This proposal is designed to build, off Israel’s coasts, artificial islands that will absorb all these infrastructures, clear the coasts and – of course – provide more area.
“I have been thinking of this since my first term as Prime Minister in 1996. Back then we started the project of artificial islands, but it was halted due to opposition from environmental elements and there were also feasibility questions. What has happened since then, over the past 20 years, is that the technology of artificial islands has greatly changed and developed and it has also evolved in the sense of being more environment-friendly. We can answer all of the financial and ecological feasibility issues. This is certainly within our grasp.
“Other countries have done great things on this matter. We are learning from them and therefore, this visionary project is important for the State of Israel. I have assigned the work to [National Economic Council Chairman] Prof. Avi Simhon; we are already holding a series of discussions. The first step in advancing the construction of artificial islands off the coasts of Israel is to form the team today”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Most of the country is desert. There is plenty of room to expand in the Negev. Artificial islands are very expensive and also subject to collapse during an earthquake (which is a major problem in Eretz Yisrael).