Tiberias Mayor Seeks Urgent Aid for Businesses Amid Lake Kinneret Amoeba Scare

Tiberias Mayor Yossi Ben-David has appealed to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for an emergency government meeting to secure urgent financial assistance for businesses in Tiberias and the surrounding Lake Kinneret region. The mayor's request follows a public scare caused by a deadly amoeba outbreak, which has led to a sharp decline in tourism.

Ben-David highlighted the recent hospitalization of a child infected with the amoeba, coupled with Ministry of Health advisories regarding swimming in the lake. Although swimming has not been officially banned, the public warnings and extensive media coverage have created widespread panic, significantly impacting tourism.

Data from hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions in Tiberias indicate a drastic drop in activity, particularly during the crucial Rosh Hashanah holiday period, which is vital for the businesses' annual revenue. The mayor emphasized that this is not a localized economic issue but a substantial blow to the hospitality, food service, retail, and tourism sectors in the area.

To address the crisis, Ben-David proposed several measures, including swift and dedicated compensation for affected businesses suffering from revenue loss and cancellations. He also suggested providing advance payments or loans to ensure immediate cash flow and prevent business collapses. Furthermore, he called for establishing a dedicated budget to fund cultural events, performances, festivals, and family activities in Tiberias and the Kinneret area to revive the local economy.