New Israeli Terminal Opens Amid Gaza Pullout Debate
Sharon said the new terminal, "with cutting edge technology and futuristic architecture, was one of the largest infrastructure projects" in the country. He said David Ben Gurion, the airports namesake and Israels first prime minister, had recognized the importance of development, saying "even in the most difficult times we have to remember things beyond the horizon."
Israel has much on the horizon. Kobi Haber, finance ministry budget director, has just announced a $5-billion infrastructure spending plan for 2005, up 13% from spending in 2004. The program includes water, desalination, transport and energy projects. In addition, Haber expects $3 billion of private sector investment in infrastructure. Among the projects with private financing are the desalination plants along the Mediterranean coast, private powerplants, an extension of the cross-Israel highway and a $1-billion highway linking Modiin and Rishon Le Zion. At the local level, the Jerusalem Municipality is negotiating a final contract with its BOT concessionaire for the first line of its light-rail system.