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Last update - 16:32 23/05/2008 Amid talks, Golan gets first mall, and development booms By Yuval Azoulay Tags: Golan Heights, Israel  As Turkish envoys were mediating Israeli-Syrian talks in Istanbul, construction workers in Moshav Bnei Yehuda were putting the finishing touches on the first mall in the southern Golan Heights, which will open next month. According to the mall's owner, Terrace Investments, it is meant to serve the needs of the "large population of tourists who visit the area," as well as local residents. The two-story shopping center, called Nof Golan, will cover an area of 3,000 square meters. Ofer Zilberberg, of neighboring Kibbutz Gashur, said the mall is just one example of the Golan's rapid development in recent years. Advertisement "There is great vigor here: expanding communities, investment in agriculture and a great deal of entrepreneurship, the establishment of small businesses," he said. "Today, almost everyone who comes to the Golan is a budding entrepreneur ... In addition, we've succeeded in branding ourselves as a region of superb wines, high-quality water, high-quality olive oil, homemade cheeses and excellent meat." Terrace CEO Assaf Schuster echoed Zilberberg's optimistic assessment of the Golan's economic future: Local communities are planning to bring in hundreds of new families, unique archaeological sites are being developed, and there are even plans to build a small airport, he noted. Before deciding to build the mall, Schuster added, Terrace did a study of traffic on the road it adjoins and expansion plans in nearby communities. "Since that study, the potential has only grown," he said. Local businessmen evidently share this optimism as well: Terrace said that most of the mall's stores have already been rented. "The company sees the Golan as one of the most beautiful and popular tourist areas in Israel, and therefore, the mixture of services and businesses that the mall will offer was specially adapted to the community of tourists who visit the area," Terrace said in a statement. Among other things, the mall will include a tourist information center, a garage specializing in all-terrain vehicles and a gift shop specializing in local products, from foodstuffs to crafts, as well as standard mall denizens such as drugstores and cafes. And what about the prospect of Israel returning the Golan to Syria following the talks now occurring in Turkey? "I'm not pressured, because I don't believe it will happen in the next 20 years," said Schuster. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   Er...since when has the Golan been part of Israel? 17:46  |  Clickfool 23/05/08   2.   Gaza Mall 18:51  |  Josephus 23/05/08   3.   For 2000 Year Clickfool 18:52  |  B`Galil 23/05/08   4.   Golan as part of Israel 19:25  |  Derek 23/05/08   5.   Klickfool dozens of antique synagogues on golan 20:12  |  trumpeldor 23/05/08   6.   a weeny bit less, B`Galil 20:21  |  houssam 23/05/08   7.   Golan Mall 20:31  |  Big Dave 23/05/08   8.   #1 Clicky forgets the Syrians lost that war ... 20:32  |  not a fool 23/05/08   9.   re 2 and 3, there is no evidence that jews have lived 20:34  |  Sayid 23/05/08   10.   Syria knows talks are a waste of time, but showing willingness 21:04  |  Harold 23/05/08   11.   Answer to Clickfool`s question 21:24  |  Luther 23/05/08   12.   questions for clickfool 21:27  |  Luther 23/05/08   13.   What is legitimate in the Middle East? 21:36  |  Jeremy 23/05/08   14.   another site 22:18  |  Realistic Arab 23/05/08   15.   to #1 and #8 22:28  |  len 23/05/08   16.   Clickfool 22:29  |  Alex 23/05/08   17.   Clickfool just doesn`t know the facts or ignores them 22:45  |  Boaz 23/05/08   18.   Sayid #9 read about the archeology of Golan 23:27  |  Boaz 23/05/08   19.   Clickfool asks... 00:13  |  Gary S. 24/05/08   20.   THE GOLAN ONE OF ISRAEL,S TREASURES 00:23  |  karenJohnson 24/05/08   21.   GOLAN 00:25  |  REUVEN 24/05/08   22.   # 13 jeremy 00:32  |  Axel 24/05/08   23.   # 17 boaz 00:35  |  Axel 24/05/08   24.   SYRIA 00:36  |  REUVEN 24/05/08   25.   From Babylon to Manhatan,the Jews will claim exclusivity . 01:00  |  Charlie 24/05/08   26.   golan 01:48  |  raphael gabay 24/05/08   27.   Will Assad have the honour to cut the ribbon? 16:43  |  just asking 24/05/08   28.   # 19 gary 23:33  |  Axel 24/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 413 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 198 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 216 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Responses: 213 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 115 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) More Headlines 03:05 Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time 01:48 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks 18:30 Ex-IDF chief: Golan Heights not indispensable 02:46 ANALYSIS: Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 02:53 ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailormade for him 03:00 Spanish doctors, Israeli reality 02:07 Israel places 9th in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest; Russia wins 01:16 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 14:56 Tourist in critical condition after jumping from Tiberias hospital 02:11 'Israeli Big Lebowski' captures top student prize at Cannes Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

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