Israel Matzav

Oy vey: Where will the Tel Avivians find 'Palestinians' to bring illegally to the beach?

The government plans to allow some 60,000 'Palestinians' to visit Israel as tourists this summer.

The permits are not usually issued to individuals or families, but mainly to schools and summer camps wishing to take children to visit beaches and mixed Jewish-Arab cities in Israel.

In 2010 28,000 Palestinians were given permits to visit Israel. The permits are granted specifically for touring, as opposed to other permits given for employment, medical treatment or prisoner visitation.

During the first six months of 2011 the IDF's Civil Administration issued 31,000 permits, more than in the whole of last year, and expects to issue at least 20,000 more for the summer holiday.

"We want Palestinians, especially young ones, to see another kind of Israeli, not only soldiers and settlers. Anything that can help them blow off steam and relax. Perhaps instead of demonstrating in September they'll go to the beach," the source said.

Most of the Palestinians visit Arab and mixed towns such as Haifa, Jaffa and Acre, among other things, because of their beaches.

"For many of these youngsters, this is the first visit to the beach," says an Israeli guide of West Bank groups.

Another popular destination is the Ramat Gan Safari, which has prepared Arab-language tours to accommodate the numerous Palestinian visitors.

"They see things differently from Israeli children. They've never seen wild animals like those in the safari," says Adam Yakobi, one of the safari guides who works with Palestinian groups.

"In addition to ecologic explanations, we try to convey a message of coexistence, between animals and human beings, and among people as well. Politics does not come into it. It's a completely different atmosphere and they're engrossed in looking at the animals," he said.

This attitude has caused panic in Tel Aviv, where many of the local denizens get their jollies by smuggling in 'Palestinians' illegally for a day at the beach (go here and watch the video between 5:43 and 8:12). Where will they find their 'Palestinians'? What could go wrong?

Labels: Palestinian tourism, Tel Aviv beach

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:50 AM