Jerusalem, 27 July 2010

STATEMENT REGARDING QASR EL-YEHUD BAPTISMAL SITE

Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria Spokesman Lt. Amir Koren today
(Tuesday), 27.7.10, states that the results of bacteriological tests carried
out at the Qasr el-Yehud prove that the Jordan River water in the area is
fit for baptism.

In the wake of claims that were made regarding the water quality at Qasr
el-Yehud, which is maintained by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority,
Civil Administration Director Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai ordered that the
water be tested immediately. The tests – were carried out on Sunday,
25.7.10, by an INPA environmental team – show that the water at the site
meets Health Ministry standards. It should be noted that the test showed 88
fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water whereas the relevant
Health Ministry standard is 1,000 fecal coliform bacteria per 100
milliliters of water.

It should be noted that the previous test, carried out on 27.4.10, showed
that the water met the standard. The Civil Administration and the INPA
carry out routine checks on a quarterly basis in order to verify that water
at the site is safe.

Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov today expressed satisfaction over the
tests and noted that, "The Tourism Ministry ascribes great importance to
tourists' sense of security and to the service provided to tourists who
choose to visit Israel, and is making every effort to ensure that the
experience of their visit is the best possible. These tourists should serve
as our ambassadors to the world."

It should be noted that Qasr el-Yehud site is currently in the advanced
stages of work to enable it to be fully open to the public. Millions of
shekels have been invested in developing the site, one of Christianity's
most sacred, which approximately 100,000 tourists visit annually. Tourism
Minister Misezhnikov added that, "I am pleased that these tourists, who are
so important to the State of Israel, will be able to continue visiting and
using the site safely."

AL/al 13:30
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