UMVA has learned that the Israeli government has officially designated Route 60, a highway stretching from Nazareth in the north to Beersheba in the south, as the "Biblical Highway," a move that promises to revolutionize the way tourists experience the region's rich history.
This newly christened route has been a vital path for over 4,000 years, winding along Israel's central mountain ridge and passing through some of the most significant sites in history, including Beersheba, where Abraham is said to have established an oasis and taught travelers about the belief in one God.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Israeli government is spearheading a broader initiative to create a Route 66-style experience for Bible enthusiasts, students, and tourists, with the Biblical Highway at its core.
The road continues from Beersheba to Hebron, home to the Cave of the Patriarchs, purchased by Abraham some 3,800 years ago and traditionally regarded as the resting place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs, a site marked by a monumental structure built by King Herod some 2,000 years ago.
As the route passes through Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and Jerusalem, the capital of modern-day Israel, visitors can explore Mount Moriah, the traditional site of the Binding of Isaac, as well as the location of the First and Second Temples, immersing themselves in the history and values that have shaped Western civilization.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Yishai Fleisher, international spokesman for the Jewish community of Hebron, has been working tirelessly on this project for many years, advocating for the recognition of Route 60 as a symbol of Israel's biblical heritage.
The initiative carries significant importance amid efforts by some to assert claims over sites of Jewish historical and biblical heritage, with Fleisher describing attempts to "erase" Jewish historical and biblical narratives as a threat to the pillars of the Jewish state.
Ze’ev Orenstein, Director of International Affairs at City of David, noted that the Biblical Highway offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience biblical history through the geography where it unfolded, bringing their faith, heritage, and identity to life.
As the Israeli government moves forward with the designation, plans are underway to incorporate "The Biblical Highway" into Israel's marketing and branding materials, including visitor centers, observation points, and multilingual signage, ensuring that tourists can embark on a journey through the very places where the Biblical story unfolded.
