Israel is deliberately sabotages tourism in eastern Jerusalem

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Jerusalemite merchants accused the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) of deliberately sabotaging tourism in eastern Jerusalem especially the Old City through directing tourists to Jewish areas. Member of the society for holy land industries and oriental antiques Alfred Raad said in a press release on Wednesday that the eastern areas of Jerusalem are suffering tourism and economic recession despite the fact that no wars or political unrest were witnessed over the past three years. He charged Jewish tourism guides with controlling the market and directing tourists' movement. Tourists spend their money in Israel before arriving in occupied Jerusalem, Raad said, adding that the Jewish guides bring tourists to visit the Church of Holy Sepulcher or the Via Dolorosa before the shops are open. The IOA cancelled the free marketing day in which tourists used to stroll and purchase gifts in eastern Jerusalem citing "security pretexts", he elaborated. Raad confirmed that 60% of the tourism oriented merchants, who number 400, were facing serious economic problems and big losses.