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Palestinians: Dead Sea won't be a 'world wonder'

Israel receives letter from Palestinian tourism minister, who threatens to withdraw consent to have Dead Sea participate in international competition due to Ahava company's activity 'on occupied Palestinian land'

Roni Sofer

Published:

12.01.09, 15:14 / Israel Travel

The Palestinians are once against threatening to withdraw their consent to have the Dead Sea participate in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World competition following what they define as "the ongoing activity of Israeli bodies on occupied Palestinian lands for the sake of promoting their businesses."

Palestinian Tourism Minister Khouloud Daibes made the threat in an official letter to her Israeli counterpart, Stas Misezhnikov.

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Daibes wrote in the letter, "I express my objection to promoting the Dead Sea in the competition, alongside products like Ahava, which are produced illegally in the Israeli settlement on occupied Palestinian lands, and promoting the business of the Megilot Regional Council along the Dead Sea's northern coast at the international tourism fair in London at the beginning of November."

Misezhnikov told Ynet in response that "if the Dead Sea wins the competition, the entire region will prosper, and this will help all the involved countries and entities: Israel, the Palestinians and Jordan.

"The attempt to drag a complicated diplomatic dispute into a competition which is based on honoring the seven wonders of the world does not serve any of the sides. Moreover, intervening in the competition in this manner may lead to the disqualification of the Dead Sea, and we will all be damaged."

The minister added, "It should be noted that 2008 was a record year in incoming tourism to Israel, and affecting the territories as well, which were visited by more than 1 million tourists. If the Dead Sea wins, this trend will grow even more."

In July, the Dead Sea made it to the final list of spectacular natural landmarks competing for a coveted spot on the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" list, along with 27 other sites.

Lees verder: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3813501,00.html