Cornerstone Laid for New Accessible Promenade in Samaria

A new accessible tourist promenade, "Joshua's Path," is being constructed in Alon Moreh in the Samaria region, with the laying of its cornerstone marking the start of the "Bible Trails in Judea and Samaria" initiative. The project, a joint effort by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Heritage, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Samaria Regional Council, and the Judea and Samaria Municipal Association, is budgeted at NIS 3.2 million.

The promenade will feature a suspension bridge connecting the Alon Moreh Heritage Center to the summit of Mount Kabir Nature Reserve, traversing scenic landscapes and historical sites. The initiative aims to boost tourism and settlement in the region, with Tourism Minister Haim Reiss describing Samaria's potential to become "the Tuscany of Israel" due to its unique combination of landscapes, vineyards, wineries, history, and heritage.

Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu emphasized the project's connection to national identity and heritage, stating it fulfills a national duty to continue building, deepening roots, and making ancestral heritage accessible. Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan highlighted the project as another step in developing the land and a response to challenges, aiming to make the area, where biblical patriarchs walked, accessible to many visitors.

The promenade is expected to become a significant attraction, offering visitors an accessible walking experience with breathtaking views and a connection to the area's historical and biblical narrative. The project is part of a broader effort to develop tourism and infrastructure in the Samaria region.