Soldiers Posed as Tourists? Israeli Chief Seeks Answers

Israel’s minister of tourism demanded an explanation from the Defense Ministry today after it was said troops disguised as tourists shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Arab witnesses said soldiers posing as tourists, carrying backpacks and cameras, drew guns and killed the Arab during a stone-throwing protest Saturday in front of dozens of onlookers in the traditional birthplace of Christ.

Bethlehem Mayor Elias Freij filed a complaint with the occupation authorities, saying the disguise endangered the safety of foreign pilgrims and visitors.

“Now townspeople will suspect that visitors might not really be tourists. Maybe this will scare tourists from coming, though I hope not,” Freij told the Jerusalem Post.

The army confirmed that troops killed 24-year-old Radi Salah but would not comment on the soldiers’ dress.

“We will not reveal how we behave operationally,” army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ofra Preuss said.

Israeli security forces have repeatedly disguised themselves as Arabs and foreign journalists in their underground war against Palestinian militants during the 20-month uprising in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

But this was the first reported sighting of a tourist’s disguise, and it could set back efforts to overcome a severe slump in tourism due to the Palestinian revolt.

Israel has mounted expensive publicity campaigns to persuade tourists and travel agents that it is safe to visit, trying to counter the effects of months of TV images of troops clashing with stone-throwing Arabs.

Bethlehem hotels and souvenir stores say their business has declined by more than 50% since the uprising began.