ISRAEL TO LET CHRISTIAN RIGHT BUILD THEME PARK BY SEA OF GALILEE

GUARDIAN - The Israeli government is planning to give up a large slice
of land to American Christian evangelicals to build a biblical theme
park by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is said to have walked on water
and fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. A consortium of Christian
groups, led by the television evangelist Pat Robertson, is in
negotiation with the Israeli ministry of tourism and a deal is expected
in the coming months. The project is expected to bring up to 1 million
extra tourists a year but an undeclared benefit will be the cementing of
a political alliance between the Israeli rightwing and the American
Christian right. However, the alliance has not been welcomed by all
Israelis, including some who fear the ultimate aim of the evangelicals
is the conversion of the Jews to Christianity rather than support for
Israel. . .

Yossi Sarid, a former government minister and member of the Knesset,
said he was wary of the friendship of the American Christian right and
projects such as the Galilee centre. He said: "I am not enthusiastic
about this cooperation because I have no desire to be cannon fodder for
the evangelists. As a Jew, they believe I have to vanish before Jesus
can make his second appearance. As I have no plans to convert, as an
Israeli and a Jew, I find this a provocation. There is something
sinister about their embrace."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1677556, 00.html