A US-based evangelical Christian group has received a donation of 35 acres of land beside the Sea of Galilee from the Israeli government, according to the Associated Press. The land will be used for building an evangelical Christian centre to boost Christian tourism.

Even though the evangelical group and the US State Department have not responded yet, the news first emerged in the Gazette of Colorado Springs on Wednesday. The Israeli government told a group of US evangelical leaders, including the President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) the Rev. Ted Haggard of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, it would be willing to improve a nearby airport and provide power, water and phone lines for the centre.

The land next to the Sea of Galilee has a very strong biblical background. It is near the Bay of Parables and the hilltop where Jesus was believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Rev Haggard, President of the NAE called the land "priceless", adding that none of that land is for sale.

In the midst of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the controversy over the Separation Wall that divides Jerusalem and Bethlehem in recent years, the increasing security measures imposed by the Israeli occupation such as roadblocks and checkpoints have restricted worshippers from accessing the Holy City Jerusalem. Thus, Christian tourism has been seriously declining.

The move by the Israeli government aims to encourage a revitalised Christian tourism in the region. Israel, the home of the early ministry of Jesus Christ, used to be a popular tourist destination for evangelical Christians and pilgrims. According to the Ministry of Tourism, tourism brought US$1.4 billion into the Israeli economy last year. Tourism is one of the pillars of the country’s economy.

Currently, there is no timetable for moving ahead with plans for the land being granted until receiving the government's approval.