Israel's transport minister is pushing ahead with plans to extend Jerusalem's soon-to-open high speed rail line to the Western Wall, where he wants to name a future station after President Donald Trump.
Yisrael Katz's plan involves constructing two underground stations and excavating over two miles of tunnel beneath central Jerusalem and its politically and historically sensitive Old City.
The Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews can pray.
Transport ministry spokesman Avner Ovadia says the project is estimated to cost more than 700 million US dollars and, if approved, would take four years to complete.
Katz proposed naming the future station after the President “for his brave and historic decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital”.
President Trump sparked international outcry when he announced his decision that the US government would recognise the holy city, which has been the centre of conflict between Israel and Palestine for many years, as the Israeli capital.
The proposal will likely face opposition from the global community, which does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over east Jerusalem.
The Tel Aviv-Jerusalem high-speed line is expected to open next spring.
