The Palestinians are already taking a dig at Israel, which invited the 33 Chilean miners for an all-expense paid visit to tour Christian holy sites during the Christmas season.
According to The Guardian, the PA may not want the visitors showing up under Israeli auspices:
But the invitation – for a seven-day stay – risks triggering an angry response from the Palestinians.
"We are not against them coming. But the Israelis cannot invite someone to the house of their neighbours", Fayez el-Sakka, a Palestinian MP from Bethlehem, said.
I can understand why the PA might be concerned.
Recent rulings by advertising standards watchdogs in Britain and Holland don't allow Israeli tourism ads to suggest that tourist sites in disputed areas are in Israel. The PA won't want to appear to undermine those rulings.
(The UK/Dutch logic suggests that the PA shouldn't be allowed to market tourist sites in disputed areas either, but that's a separate can of worms.)
The idea of peace on earth and goodwill to all men may be buried by stubborn principle. That could lead to an avalanche of bad PR.
I hope the Chileans don't get shafted.
