The Holy Sepulcher cannot possibly accommodate all 4.5 million expected to come next year, the experts assert.
“We have estimated that it can’t take in more than 750,000 visitors a year. I don’t see any solution,” Shai said.
He noted a suggestion by government officials for at least a partial solution by opening an additional exit from the church. In theory, the heads of the historic Christian communities, which each have rights in the church, have agreed to such an exit. But there has been no agreement on where it should be located.
“To change even a small stone in the church is almost impossible,” Shai said.
In a similar vein, Hani Abu-Dayyeh, a representative of the Bethlehem tourism industry, said the Basilica of the Nativity can only handle about a million people a year. The basilica is traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus.
Abu-Dayyeh, who is also vice president of the Near East Tourist Agency, added that many of the pilgrims wish to worship in the historic church and not just pay a quick visit.
“You have to make sure the worshippers [can pray.] You can’t just push them in and out,” he said.
The two were speaking at a workshop on Tourism 2000: Opportunities for Mutual Benefits, sponsored by the Israeli-Palestinian Public Affairs Forum. Israeli Tourism Minister Moshe Katsav also took part.
A recurring theme among the Palestinian speakers was the Israeli roadblock between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, which delays passage between the two cities by up to two hours. Katsav asserted the roadblocks are necessary for security purposes.
Another problem raised was the fact that both Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 fall on Friday night this year, meaning that these Christian holidays will be on Shabbat.
The hoteliers currently have an agreement with the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate. It stipulates that hotels with kashrut certificates can serve as the venues for Christian observances, as long as there is no desecration of the Sabbath, such as through the use of electrical equipment.