Amoeba panic at the Sea of Galilee: Tiberias mayor demands urgent assistance from finance minister for businesses
Tiberias Mayor Yossi Naba'a has turned to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanding an emergency government meeting and the formulation of an aid package for businesses in the city and the Sea of Galilee area, against the backdrop of the amoeba panic that has caused a sharp decline in tourist activity. Naba'a warns that each additional day of uncertainty could deepen the economic damage.
Tiberias Mayor Yossi Naba'a turned today (Tuesday) to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with a request to convene an emergency government meeting and formulate urgent assistance for businesses in Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee area. The appeal comes against the backdrop of the deadly amoeba panic, following the hospitalization of a child in serious condition after swimming in the Sea of Galilee. In his letter, Naba'a notes that the publication of Health Ministry guidelines and media exposure created public panic, leading to a sharp decline in tourist activity, precisely in the midst of the holiday season and the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Data from hotels, restaurants, and attractions indicate a drastic drop in activity levels. The mayor proposes dedicated and swift compensation for affected businesses, immediate assistance or advances for cash flow, and the establishment of a budgetary source for cultural events and festivals. Naba'a emphasizes that this is a significant blow to the hotel, catering, commerce, and tourism sectors, and not a local economic event.