Knesset approves $3M tourism center

(JNS.org) The Knesset Finance Committee on Dec. 21, 2014 voted to allocate $3.1 million to build a tourism center in the Jewish community of Barkan in Samaria. Committee members from the Likud, Habayit Hayehudi, and Yisrael Beiteinu parties voted in favor of funding the center.

“The visitors’ center in question is a crucial asset for Israel,” Likud MK Gila Gamliel said, according to Israel Hayom. “It’s intended to present scientific exhibits to thousands of young people and school pupils.”

Responding to criticism of the vote’s result by Labor MK Erel Margalit, Finance Committee Chairman MK Nissan Slomiansky (Habayit Hayehudi) said that “450,000 people live in Judea and Samaria, and they also deserve to lead their lives.”