Israeli Tourism Minister Says Development of Tourism Sites in Post-1967 Areas Will Continue

Despite the announced freeze in building in post-1967 territories for the next ten months, work will continue on Israeli tourism sites located there. Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said on Saturday that sites at three locations Israel insists will remain under its control in any agreement with the Palestinians will move forward with tourism-related construction. They include the traditional baptism site of Jesus in the Jerusalem suburb of Ma’aleh Adumim; the Herodian National Park in the Gush Etzion area south of Jerusalem; and the stalactite cave at the Samarian city of Ariel. The tourism exceptions to the freeze are the second set to be announced. Defense Minister Ehud Barak previously said construction on a number of public buildings in post-1967 communities will continue as well. The Palestinians already registered anger at Prime Minister Netanyahu’s exception for building in east Jerusalem.