isrelate.com | The Dead Sea and PA Controversy

The Dead Sea and PA Controversy

Posted: Tue 30th June 2009 11.21 AM | Author: Sam Hailes

The Dead Sea's progression in a competition to find the new 7 world wonders of nature is likely to be halted next week due to lack of support from the Palestinian Authority.

The Dead Sea is currently ranked sixth in the world in voting in the "Lakes, Rivers and Waterfalls" category.

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But despite the impressive ranking, according to contest rules, the PA must join Israel and Jordan in forming a committee of support for the lake's nomination before the Sea can advance to the next round.

“We will not be forming a committee,” PA Tourism Minister Khouloud Douaibes told Reuters, claiming the Israeli part of the committee “has been consulting with settler councilmen on occupied land.”

The Israeli committee to support the sea was formed by the Megilot Dead Sea Regional Council, which consists of six communities to the northwest of the sea. It did not include communities in Judea and Samaria, although these also neighbour the Dead Sea, but aroused the ire of the PA anyway.

“We’re very disappointed by their decision,” Megilot spokewoman Gura Berger said. “We hope that in any case the Seven Wonders committee will allow the Dead Sea to move on to the next stage of the contest.”

Berger explained that if the Dead Sea overcomes the political barriers in its way, it will most likely be nominated for the final stage of voting, in which she hopes dedicated Dead Sea fans can propel it to the top slot.

To vote for the new 7 wonders of nature, please click here.