Israeli businessman: US backs Chinese construction of Eilat railway

"There's no problem with Chinese companies building the railway to Eilat just as there is no problem if Chinese workers were to decorate the private home of Mr. Efraim Halevi," said Shaul Bitterman, a businessman who represents the Chinese government-owned companies that plan building the railway to Eilat.

In responding to the opinion of former Mossad chief Halevi written for green groups opposed to the railway and published in "Yediot Ahronot," Bitterman told "Globes," that the Chinese had no interest in operating the project but rather just building it. He added that the US had been updated from the outset regarding the matter and had expressed no objections.

Halevi had warned that construction of the railway by the Chinese could cause a crisis in Israel's relations with the US, while China, he added, is an ally of Iran.

In response, Transport Minister Yisrael Katz wrote on his Facebook page, "The cabinet will approve the route of the railway to Eilat. The train will travel from Tel Aviv to Eilat at 250 kilometers an hour in two hours. Trains will bring cargo from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean on a land bridge bypassing the Suez Canal. Control will be Israeli while implementation, financing and building will come from foreign governments. Of course Israeli contractors will be employed. The Chinese, French and Spaniards are interested and I hope more people will come along."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 6, 2013

? Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013

Source: http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000883299

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