JERUSALEM, Apr. 12, 01 (CWNews.com) - The continuing uprising in the West Bank and Gaza have kept away pilgrims during Holy Week this year.
The nearly seven months of violence, including stone-throwing and gun battles, has kept most pilgrims away, but some are braving it. "I was a little bit afraid because of the terrorism and the situation," said Polish pilgrim Alexandra Niemirycz. "But I am a brave person and these are very important days for Catholics."
Israeli and Palestinian officials had high hopes for the millennium year, forecasting record-breaking years for tourism to the religious sites. But violence from the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and in Israel have dashed those hopes.
The Israeli Tourism Ministry said the number of tourists had fallen far short of the 3.2 million forecast. Visitors from Italy and Germany fell by around 70 percent and those from the United States by 50 percent.
"I would say that only in the last six months, Israel had lost more than $1 billion in the field of tourism, especially in the hotel industry," said Oren Drori, the ministry's marketing strategy director.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
12. april 2001