By Pesach Benson • April 26, 2026
Jerusalem, 26 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s government on Sunday approved initial planning for a cable car system connecting key Christian sites in Northern Israel, a move officials say will improve accessibility while strengthening the regional economy.
“The promotion of the cable car is significant news for strengthening tourism in the north, and in particular for pilgrim tourism, which will have convenient access to the heritage sites along the ‘Gospel Route,’” Tourism Minister Haim Katz said. “We are transforming the area into a modern attraction, combining a unique tourist experience with an accessible transportation solution.”
The project envisions a route linking Nof HaGalil, Nazareth, and Mount Tabor, with an intermediate station in Kfar Shibli. It will depart from a planned complex near Kfar Tabor and is intended to create a direct transport connection between some of the most visited religious and cultural sites in the Galilee.
Mount Tabor is regarded as one of Israel’s most significant historical and religious landmarks, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Many Christian traditions identify the mountain as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, making it an important pilgrimage destination for international visitors. However, access to the summit is currently limited to narrow, winding roads that often become congested, particularly during peak tourism seasons.
The mountain is home to several key sites connected to this tradition. The most prominent is the Roman Catholic Franciscan Basilica of the Transfiguration, built in the early 20th century over the remains of earlier Byzantine and Crusader-era churches and decorated with mosaics depicting the biblical event. Nearby stands a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the same tradition. Archaeological remains of earlier churches and chapels are also found on the mountain.
Nazareth is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage cities in the world. Its central landmark is the Basilica of the Annunciation, a modern Catholic church built over earlier Byzantine and Crusader-era remains, where Christians believe an angel announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus. Nearby is St. Joseph’s Church, associated with the traditional location of Joseph’s home and workshop, as well as the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel, which links the Annunciation to a nearby spring in Orthodox tradition. Other notable sites include the Synagogue Church, believed by some traditions to be near the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached, and the Mary’s Well area.
Nof HaGalil is a predominantly Jewish urban center. Its proximity to Nazareth makes it a popular base for visitors traveling to nearby Christian sites.
“Mount Tabor is a historical and tourist asset of international importance, and we are committed to exploiting its tremendous potential,” said Transportation Minister Miri Regev. “The cable car we are promoting will make reaching the site more convenient, accessible, and safer, will increase the scope of tourism, and contribute to the economic growth of the area.”
The Ministries of Tourism and Transportation will now advance feasibility studies and detailed planning, with an investment of around NIS 4 million ($1.3 million). The studies are expected to take approximately 12 months and will assess economic viability, engineering requirements, and environmental considerations. The decision follows an earlier allocation of NIS 1 million ($330,000) for preliminary planning.
The announcement comes as the tourism industry aims to reboot tourism after two years of war. In early February, Ministry Director General Michael Izhakov said Christian pilgrims, Evangelical travelers, and Jewish communities overseas could form the backbone of a gradual recovery, even as broader tourism remains constrained.
More than NIS 20 million ($6.5 million) has been allocated to a digital campaign intended to rebuild confidence and reintroduce Israel to audiences already inclined to visit, Izhakov said.
Before the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, Israel had forecast a record 5.5 million visitors for that year, well above the 4.5 million recorded in 2019. Instead, arrivals fell to about 3 million in 2023, then dropped sharply in 2024, when fewer than 1 million tourists visited. In 2025, the number climbed modestly to roughly 1.3 million.
