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'James Bond' tourists are offered a chance to visit the Israeli war zone
IT IS billed as the "Ultimate Mission" - an eight-day, James Bond-style quest behind the scenes of Israel's conflict with Palestinian militants.For a little less than £1,100 plus a donation, participants are promised briefings from Israeli spies, a visit to a West Bank checkpoint, tours of the Lebanese frontlines and trips in light aircraft over northern Israel. "Experience a dynamic and intensive eight-day exploration of Israel's struggle for survival and security in the Middle East today," reads the promotional material for the tours. Highlights listed on the organiser's website include: "Inside tour of the Israel Air Force unit that carries out targeted killings" "Meeting Israel's Arab agents who infiltrate the terrorist groups and provide real-time intelligence" "Meetings with senior cabinet ministers and other key policymakers" The trips are organised by the Israel Law Centre, which describes itself as a "Jewish legal rights institute" and says it is not affiliated to any branch or agency of the Israeli government. Headed by a lawyer, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, 32, the group uses the funds it raises to pursue cases against organisations it suspects of funding Palestinian militant groups. Ms Darshan-Leitner has sued Iran and the European Union for their suspected role in funding Palestinian groups. "We file cases against those who help to fund terrorism or deal in terrorism," she said. "It's helping the terrorism victims to fight back against those who ruin their lives." As well as the cost of the trips, participants are asked to make a tax-deductible donation of about £250 to £2,500 to the Israel Law Centre. Ms Darshan-Leitner won't say how much has been raised since she started the tours in 2003, but the next trip, scheduled for 6-13 November, will be the 11th. Each one attracts between 30 and 50 participants, she says, with visitors from the United States, Canada and Europe. Palestinian parliamentarians say they are aware of the work of the Israel Law Centre and are surprised at its method of raising funds. "You wonder about the safety and the legality of what they are up to," said a senior member of Fatah, a group that has been the target of some of the Israel Law Centre's probes. In addition to seeing the war zone, there are barbecues and cruises and trips to Jerusalem's Western Wall. Participants have raved on the website about some of the earlier "missions". "There is simply no comparable way to experience Israel in these trying times," wrote Menashe Frank, of Miami. "On a judicial, military, cultural and religious level, the mission delivered every time." Added Daryll Mills, of North Carolina: "I am very honoured and humbled to have been, albeit for a very short time and in a very indirect way, present and part of the situation," he wrote. "I hope and trust that my country stands by yours in your time of need." Posted by: Seafarious 2006-10-13 |
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