Walking on Water
ISRAEL'S APPROVAL of a novel plan to build a submerged bridge in the Sea of Galilee to allow tourists to simulate Jesus' miraculous walk on water should be an inspiration to other Holy Land entrepreneurs.
"In the beginning we thought it was a joke," said Zeev Margalit, head planner of Israel's National Parks Authority.
But after checking with church authorities, he decided it would "not hurt the feelings of the Christian tourists and it would not be too kitschy, so we decided to go with it."
The bridge is to be 13 feet wide and 28 feet long and will be submerged under two inches of water.
The span will accommodate as many as 50 people at a time and will give the effect of walking on water. Lifeguards will be on duty.
It will be open in August at Capernaum, where the Bible says Jesus walked on water.
The bridge is one of many projects designed to attract pilgrims to sacred spots in Israel for millennium festivities, when 4 million pilgrims are expected.
If the bridge succeeds as a tourist attraction -- and how can it miss? -- how long will it be before pilgrims are offered fine dining at The Last Supper Restaurant, lunch at the All-U-Can-Eat Loaves-and-Fishes Deli and maybe drinks at the Water-Into-Wine Bar?
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