Travel to the Holy Land
SIR.—I have recently been revisiting London, and I was surprised to find how widespread is the misunderstanding of conditions in the country which used to be known as Palestine. There seemed to be a general impression that, since the country became divided between the States of Jordan and Israel, travel for tourists and pilgrims has become difficult, if not impossible. This, I am glad to say, is not the case. For two years The borders between the two States have been quiet, and there is little likelihood of violence breaking out again in the foreseeable future. Many Holy Year pilgrims did, in fact, continue their journey this year from Rome to Jerusalem, which can now be reached rapidly and in comfort from Cairo and Beirut. Six months ago the airport at Kalandia, seven miles to the north of Jerusalem, was reopened, and it is now able to take four-engined aircraft such as Curtis Commandos. Daily services link Jerusalem by air with Cairo and Beirut, and road communications with such neighbouring places of interest as Petra, Jerash, Baalbec and Damascus are excellent.
It is now possible for tourists to overcome the hitherto formidable barriers separating the Arab from the Jewish parts of Palestine. The formalities to be observed before passing from one region to another may take 48 hours to complete, but there is now nothing to stop the traveller from visiting in the same journey the majority of the Holy Places which are in Jordan and the minority which are in Israel.—Yours faithfully,
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