Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 10, 2010 Shvat 26, 5770 | | Israel Time: 15:10 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books Haaretz Store
Share |
Last update - 00:00 15/02/2005
U.S. reevaluating Israel travel warning
By Irit Rosenblum, Haaretz Correspondent
 

The United States is considering lifting the travel advisory warning to Israel, amid growing pressure from Christian and Jewish groups.
Advertisement


"We are now evaluating the travel warning [to Israel] because of the new political and security context," a U.S. official said, adding the United States was not yet considering lifting the travel warning to the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

"We are certainly looking at modifying the travel warning to Israel," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

The heads of evangelical organizations and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations sent a petition Monday to President George W. Bush to have the State Department cancel the warning against travel to Israel.

The leaders told Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson about the petition at the National Religious Broadcasters' convention (NRB), the annual gathering of thousands of Christian broadcasters taking place this week in Anaheim, California.

According to the signatories, who included Christian radio personality Janet Parchall and evangelist Kay Arthur, changes for the better in security in Israel warrant canceling the warning, which causes severe damage to tourism in Israel.

Tourism Ministry officials note that the State Department advisory has existed since 2000 and has not been eased in spite of repeated appeals by senior officials of the tourism and foreign ministry.

Other countries also issue advisories, but they do not unequivocably recommend against visiting Israel, and they change in severity according to the circumstances. Hirchson, who praised the stand of the Christian and Jewish leaders, said his ministry's goal is to bring 3 million evangelical Christians to Israel within three years.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) announced its intention to address the issue of travel advisories, which damage tourism to many countries, by formulating new procedures that would limit advisories to times of emergency
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Wiesel's petition
Nobel winner says he wouldn't cry if Ahmadinejad were killed , and has signed on it.
Heckling Michael Oren
Muslim students scream 'killer' during Israeli envoy's lecture at a California University.
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Shalom Hartman Institute Jerusalem
This Summer in Jerusalem Learn about the "Other". Special Prices Until Feb. 15
100% Pure Dead Sea Salt
Lowest price in the U.S.A. for genuine Dead Sea Salts
Online forex trading now with
the security of a Swiss bank
Best Passover Vacations Under the Sun in Florida, Arizona, Mexico.
Resort Vacations. All the traditions of Passover. Glatt Kosher
Your Aliyah starts here.
Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Workshops and Personal Meetings in your area
Camp Kimama Israel - Summer 2010
An incredible experience with Jewish youth from all over the world
 Haaretz Hot Topics
Exclusive: EU draft on dividing Jerusalem
Gilad Shalit
Settlement Freeze
Iran nuclear program
More Headlines
14:52 Israeli seriously hurt in West Bank knife attack
14:14 Goldstone co-author: Hamas fired 'something like two' rockets before Gaza war
10:57 U.S. to 'target Iran Revolutionary Guards' in latest sanctions
11:14 Twelve Israeli teens suspected of raping girl for 4 years
14:27 Deputy FM may seek charges against 'slaughter Jews' heckler
12:10 Archaeological findings unveil 1,500-year-old Jerusalem road
12:21 Is Madonna's Israeli manager the next American Idol judge?
02:31 TV ROUND-UP: West promises Iran sanctions, Violence breaks out in East Jerusalem
10:03 Lebanese PM: We will stand united against Israeli threat
10:03 Israel: Gaza crossing to stay shut as long as Hamas in power
09:56 Israeli-Palestinian peace would neutralize Iran threat
08:28 Defense Minister and IDF chief clash over Ashkenazi's future
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved