Highway 1, Highway in Israel
Highway 1 in Israel is a wide freeway with six lanes that connects Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It passes through varied terrain, from flat coastal plains through valleys to forested hills, with several tunnels and bridges crossing difficult stretches of land.
The road follows an ancient trade route that Romans and later Ottomans used and widened. After 1948, the highway was fought over in several conflicts, requiring alternative routes until the full stretch was eventually rebuilt as a modern freeway.
The highway links two cities that hold deep religious and historical meaning for many people. It follows ancient trade routes that have been traveled for centuries by pilgrims and merchants.
The drive takes about two hours for the full route, with many rest stops and fuel stations along the way. There are electronic toll stations on certain sections, and caution is needed on mountain climbs, especially during bad weather.
The road crosses the Green Line boundary between Israel and the West Bank multiple times, connecting regions whose access was long restricted. This makes it one of the lesser-known routes that shows how modern geography overlays the historical and political boundaries of the land.
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