I don't think we're hearing the whole issue, but it sounds like yet another of the long-standing
shakedowns by those currently in power over those who are not in an ages olde
protectionist racket way.
When I was in Jerusalem, I was looking into going to Bethlehem to visit Rachel's tomb and to walk on some of the streets trod by peoples who had an important impact on the development of Western culture.
Jews are unwelcome in Bethlehem, and Christians there are treated pretty much as diasporal Jews were treated throughout the western world until the very recent past, with limited opportunity and strict governing codes. Tourism fees paid directly to the PA and '
donations' by Christian tourists visiting their '
holy' sites are important sources of revenue for both groups.
I would have had to pay the PA a visitors fee and, because my passport had been stamped upon entry at Ben Gurion airport, negotiate an additional fee with the border control agents for them to conveniently avoid seeing that stamp in my passport and allow me to pass into the area...if they were feeling gratuitous that day, that is.
I refuse to give any $$ to the PA so I wound up not going. Maybe someday.
But until then, and so it goes...
Richard
