ECD Conference Opens in Jerusalem despite PA Call for Ban
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Oct 20 '10, Cheshvan 12, 5771
Most nations in the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) are ignoring a call by the Palestinian Authority to boycott a major bi-annual tourism conference that opens in Jerusalem Wednesday.
At least 24 of the 33 OECD nations are attending, while Turkey, Belgium, Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, Ireland and South Africa, are boycotting the conference following PA claims that doing so would damage its claims over northern, eastern and southern areas of the city that were restored to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said that 28 countries, including non-member countries, will attend. He added that no official tours will be led in those areas, although the delegates are welcome to tour on their own. The Western Wall and the Temple Mount, located in the Old City that was under Jordanian occupation from 1948-1967,are among the most popular sites for tourism to Israel. According to the ground rules set by the OECD and Israel, they will be out of bounds for official tours by the delegates.
The OECD accepted Israel as a member earlier this year, and the choice of Jerusalem as a venue for the convention was a feather in the cap for Israel.
However, Misezhnikov raised the ire of the Palestinian Authority when he stated that the meeting "will be a declaration of intent and a seal of approval on the fact that we have a state whose recognized capital is Jerusalem." The Arab League sent out a letter calling on OECD members to boycott the event.
The OECD demanded clarification from Israel that there were no political implications in holding the conference in Jerusalem. PA negotiator Saeb Erekat tried to convince OECD countries that their attending the conference would be a de facto recognition of Israeli jurisdiction over the united capital.
Minister Misezhnikov insisted he was misquoted and issued a statement that "the existence of this summit in Israel is a very good example of how the members of the OECD value Israel as a very strong state economically and in tourism."
The tourism conference will be held at the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'Uma) and will focus on Industry and Policy Approaches to Foster Green Growth in Tourism.
Misezhnikov opened the conference Wednesday morning, telling delegates that “this is an exceptional occasion for the State of Israel as we are today inaugurating the first historic OECD event taking place in Israel."
Historische- en Culturele linken
The Time elevator
Een zeer realistische tijdreis van koning David tot de Zesdaagse oorlog in 1967. U gaat door de geschiedenis heen middels een 2D- film met bewegingssimulator. Een aanrader voor jong en oud. Jonge kinderen niet alleen laten tijdens de film.
www.time-elevator-jerusalem.co.il
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeImAz2S2TY
Nazarethvillage
http://www.nazarethvillage.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHst1FAC4bk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4neHFy0jXQ&feature=related
Ancient city of David / Stad van David
Hier kunt u een film bekijken, opgravingen van dichtbij zien en middels de watergangen van Hizkia naar de bron van David lopen, onder leiding van een gids. E?n waarschuwing hierbij is wel dat u dubbele kleding bij u moet hebben. U kunt tot uw knie?n in het water komen te staan.
www.cityofdavid.org.il
http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/hp_eng.asp
The Davidson Center
The templemount excavations
www.archpark.org.il
The burnt house
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-wohl-archaeological-museum.htm
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early%20History%20-%20Archaeology/Jerusalem%20-%20The%20Upper%20City%20during%20the%20Second%20Templ
Gids
Erik Gezels
Hebrew, Dutch, Flemish, French, German and English
Kibbutz Almog, omgeving Jeruzalem
00972-(0)2-9945256
00972-(0)524-845531
erikgezels@gmail.com
Jerusalem the upper city during the second temple-period
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early%20History%20-%20Archaeology/Jerusalem%20-%20The%20Upper%20City%20during%20the%20Second%20Templ
The Jewish quarter
Where past, present and future meet
www.rova-yehudi.org.il
Yad Vashem
http://www.yadvashem.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/YadVashem
Travelguide
http://iguide.travel/Jerusalem/Sights
Nationale parken en korte impressies van gebieden en plaatsen in Israel
Qumran en Massada
www.parks.org.il
Negev
www.gonegev.co.il
Jesus boats- Kibbutz Ginosar
http://www.jesusboat.com/boat.php
Plaatsen om te overnachten
Yad Hashmona (Jeruzalem)
www.yad8.co.il
Dutch Farm (Sde Tsvi, Negev)
http://www.dutchfarm.co.il/