A new initiative headed by former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman and pro-Israel activist and spokesperson Yishai Fleisher and supported by Former Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo seeks to name The highway traversing the West Bank from north to South- Route 60, along with sites in the north and south of the country, as the Biblical Highway. The project wishes to allow a road to pass through all biblical heritage sites in Israel, which will be managed and maintained using part of the country’s budget.
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The proposal is based on similar initiatives in other countries where resources have been allocated for the development of roads with historical and cultural significance. According to Fleisher, "The project to define Route 60 as Israel’s Biblical Highway was inspired by a model that exists in the United States, where Route 66 is defined as the historic route of the American people.”
“The road will connect all biblical sites in Israel along one route and will invite Bible and history lovers to come and experience it from all over the world," he added.
A unique map was designed for the project by Shalom Kevlar, a historical map expert. It is designed as a historical artistic map that brings the Bible’s stories found along the route, to life.
The depicted sites include Mount Tabor, where the prophetess Deborah sat under a palm tree; the warrior from the battle between Saul and the Philistines in the Gilboa; the swearing ceremony of the Children of Israel led by Joshua; Hannah's prayer and the work of Jewish priests at Shiloh; Jacob's dream of the ladder at Bethel; Solomon's Temple built above the City of David in Jerusalem; Rachel's tomb; and the historical Cave of the Patriarchs. Other mentioned sites along the route include Megiddo, the ancient city of Samaria, and more.
The initiative also includes the development of biblical heritage sites under the guidance of relevant government ministries, including the addition of new road signs and the development of unique vantage points along the road to provide travelers with other points of view into historical events.
Additionally, digital content and an official website will be launched that will consolidate the various sites and a film was produced to be broadcast on evangelical television channels to attract Christian visitors. The film premiered last week at the Museum of the Bible in Washington and will be screened in some 1,500 theaters across dozens of states in the United States in the coming month.
"The project connects the Bible with contemporary life in Israel. Its goal is to expose these beautiful and exciting sites to audiences in the hope they’ll come to the country and enjoy them," Pompeo said.
Friedman added, "Traveling on Route 60 with Mike Pompeo was an experience filled with a sense of love, it’s a privilege to bring Israel’s Biblical glory and sanctity to a wide and diverse audience through the film."
According to Yair Dan, a management consultant also taking part in the project, "The most exciting thing in the project is that all local municipalities along the route have joined together in support of the project. The Bible belongs to everyone, not to a specific sector.”