Last Sunday in Jerusalem, a ministerial committee authorised the construction of a 260km-long, fast railway line from Beersheva to Eilat.
The line will be the first high-speed track in Israel and is designed to cut the travel time from Tel Aviv to Eilat to two hours, as well as provide a cargo route that could become an alternative to the Suez Canal.
The project, due to take five years, is going ahead despite concerns voiced by former security chiefs over the expected involvement of a Chinese firm in building the track.
Five ministers voted in favour with only Environment Minister Amir Peretz opposing, over fears of damage to nature reserves in the Negev.
