FOR the first time in many years Israeli hotels will not he choked with guests over the Passover and Faster holidays.
Traditionally it is a time when the country is brimming with tourists, but the recent wave of suicide bombings by Hamas militants has kept many travellers away.
While tourism officials said there had been "significant overbookings" before the bombings, they now expect the country's hotels to be only 90 per cent full over Passover and Easter, which coincide this year.
Curiously, most of the cancellations, a Tourism Ministry spokeswoman said, were among Jewish tourists. Few of the Christian pilgrim groups, who make up 28 per cent of Israel's annual tourism, she said, had put off their trips. In the wake of the bombings, she noted, "Christians have cancelled much less than Jews. It may sound absurd, but that's the situation."
As Jew's yesterday ushered in the Passover holiday, which recalls the Exodus from ancient Egypt, thousands of Israeli soldiers were deployed around the country in response to threats by Hamas militants to renew their suicide bombing campaign.
Soldiers and policemen were stationed at holiday sites around the country and at packed shopping malls where people rushed to finish their pre Passover purchases. In Jerusalem, soldiers guarded bus stops and open air markets.
Reuter reports:
A 1.8 metre, three branched, golden candelabra shaped like an olive tree was flown from Italy to Jerusalem yesterday as a symbol of peace and hope for Christians, Jews and Muslims.
"Each candle represents a unique religion and by lighting all three we hope to show a symbol of peace between us, for now and in the coming millennium," said Monsignor Liberio Andreatta.
The first candle was lit and blessed by Pope John Paul at the Vatican last week. The others will be lit in Jerusalem today by Jewish and Muslim leaders. The televised ceremony will be held in a crypt where Christ is said to have celebrated the Last Supper.