Benjamin’s New Amphitheater Sells Out Before Its Opening

A new performance venue in the Binyamin region, Amphi Talmonim, sold out its opening show with singer Ishay Ribo in less than two hours, even before it has officially opened. The quick sellout is being presented by local leaders as evidence of strong demand for culture in the West Bank area.

The amphitheater was built over about three years of planning and construction, at a cost of millions of shekels. It is located in Hoorash Yaron, in the heart of the Gush Dolev-Talmonim bloc, and is the largest performance complex in Binyamin. Once all work is completed, it will be able to host up to 3,000 spectators.

Officials in Binyamin say the site is meant to become a major cultural destination, hosting leading Israeli performers and productions alongside the country’s main venues. They say its location, less than an hour from Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv area, could make it attractive to audiences from across Israel.

The project is part of a broader push in recent years to expand roads, jobs, commerce and public services, while also increasing cultural and leisure options for residents. Binyamin Council head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Gantz said the rapid response to the opening show was moving and showed a desire for quality culture close to home. He said, “Amphi Talmonim is a significant step in our vision to continue developing Binyamin as a place that is good to live in, raise a family in and enjoy a high level of community, culture and leisure.”