Sources inform “Globes” that Hamat Gader hot springs, owned by Kibbutz Haruv, Kibbutz Mevo Hama, Kibbutz Afik, and Kibbutz Meitzar, want to build a casino adjacent to the site. Hamat Gader general manager Gil Peres has already allocated land for this purpose and, in the past, even secretly sent a formal application to the government.
Peres says, "The idea is to build a casino one kilometer from Hamat Gader." He revealed that preliminary talks had already been held with King Abdullah II of Jordan, who supported in principle opening a border crossing and a joint venture in the area. However, the matter was not pursued, due to regional diplomatic deadlock.
Hamat Gader is located at the meeting point between Israel, Jordan, and Syria, which Peres says should be exploited for the purpose of a casino. He said Hamat Gader would pursue establishing a casino on the site, especially now that the government was debating the subject of casinos in general.
Hamat Gader reportedly plans to build a 200-room resort for tens of millions of shekels. A 28-suite spa has already been built on the banks of the Yarmouk River at a cost of NIS 21 million.
Peres says an additional NIS 11 million had been invested in the past two years to upgrade Hamat Gader's hot springs.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on August 26, 2003