Israel's 'Old City of Jerusalem' tourist map excludes Christian and Muslim holy sites

Tourists who wish to visit the Old City of Jerusalem or al-Quds are given a map of the area, but it does not cite significant historical Christian and Muslim holy site, and not many are happy with this move by Israel's tourism ministry. 

"When I saw it, I thought it was a map for only Jewish tour groups," said a tour guide who wished to remain anonymous, as quoted by Tasnim News. "The narrative it shows is quite exclusive to one religious group." 

According to the report, the map highlights 57 numbered sites, including those that are not deemed to be historically important such as buildings in the Muslim and Christian quarters in East Jerusalem that are occupied by illegal settlers.

"There are a bunch of sites that are not only historically unimportant, but that are run by settlers," Betty Herschman, director of international relations at Ir Amim, is quoted as saying. "That is to the detriment of historically relevant Christian and Muslim sites, which you would think would be far more prioritized on a map of the Old City, the hub of the three major monotheistic religions."

Ir Amim is an Israeli human rights non-government organization that provides tours of East al-Quds. Herschman said that the map not only erases significant Christian and Muslim holy sites, it also erases whole neighborhoods located around the historic basin. She deems that it legitimizes private settlements that are built by illegal settlers in Palestinian neighborhoods.

"I think that a lot of Israeli tour operators and tour guides, even right-wingers, would agree with me that a touristic map should show the treasures of the city," Aziz Abu Sarah, a resident of Jerusalem and co-founder of Mejdi Tours, told Al Jazeera. "I grew up in Jerusalem. St Anne's Church, which I think is one of the most amazing places, is not on the map. There are many Christians coming to Jerusalem, and they are going to get a map that doesn't identify their holy sites. It's not a smart decision."

Apart from the Roman Catholic St. Anne's Church, the map also excludes the Muslim as-Aqsa Mosque compound measurung 14 hectares. The Dome of the Rock is labeled only by its Jewish name, The Temple Mount, and its Muslim name al-Haram al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary is not mentioned, and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is marked only by a small name.

The City of David park, however, is promininently featured, according to the Al Jazeera report. It is a settlement managed by the private political organisation, Elad, which reportedly purchases and takes over Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and the Old City. Also featured are buildings such as Beit Wittenberg, Beit Danon, and Beit Eliyahu.

The Ministry of Tourism, however, defended the map.

"The map, which was produced in cooperation with tour guides and took into account their recommendations and the vast knowledge they have accumulated, is useful and convenient, listing the main tourist sites," they said in a statement.

The map is given away for free to tourists at tourist information centers across Jerusalem.