WASHINGTON (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Notwithstanding the Arab world's anger at Israel over its use of force against the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, around 70 Israelis applied for Egyptian visas to celebrate a Jewish festival in the country.
Every year, hundreds of Israelis usually travel into the Nile delta region to make a pilgrimage celebrating the life of a holy man, Abu Hasira, a rabbi they claim had produced a number of miracles after his immigration from Morocco to Egypt in the 19th century.
No Israelis, however, were permitted to enter the country to participate in the festival, according to the Israeli embassy in Cairo. It is not clear how many pilgrims were able to attend the festival that local authorities want banned because of public anger against Israel.
The Israeli pilgrims were supposed to have flown into Alexandria to take part in the traditional eight-day festival.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in Cairo declared her regret in refusing visas for the Israelis at the last minute.
There has been no official comment from Egyptians authorities, but tight security has been in force in Egypt's Nile delta, with even journalists prevented from approaching the village where the festival was due to take place.
At a time of strong anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment in Egypt, Israeli tourists, who usually pack Sinai's beaches, are staying away for the moment.
In November, Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Bassiouni, was ordered home from Tel Aviv in protest against Israeli aggression and excessive use of force against Palestinians.
