Communicated by Foreign
Ministry Spokesman
 21 September 1999

Israeli Pavilion at Disney

 

The Foreign Ministry states that the Israeli pavilion will open at the Disney Millennium Epcot Village on 30.9.99.

The pavilion prepared by Disney meets the educational-entertainment character of the center as well as the spirit of the Millennium Village: "To protect the past, present the present and look to the future". Accordingly, Disney has worked with the Israeli authorities for over 18 months to prepare the Israeli pavilion which focuses on the history of Jerusalem since the days of the patriarchs, through the establishment of the city as the capital of Israel by King David and onto Prime Minister David Ben Gurion's declaration of Jerusalem as State of IsraelÆs capital in 1949, as well as on the centrality of the city in the life of the Jewish people. Jerusalem's sanctity to the three monotheistic religions and its source of faith to a large part of the world's population are emphasized.

In addition, the presentation concentrates on IsraelÆs achievements and contributions to humanity in the fields of environmentally friendly energy, agriculture and technology.

There is no doubt regarding the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The position of Jerusalem as the key component of the Israeli pavilion at Epcot speaks for itself without a clearer or stronger statement being necessary.

Israel welcomes Disney's announcement that the Israeli pavilion will be presented in its original format. Israel is certain that upon its opening, the exhibition will be a major attraction for visitors and a source of pride for Israel and its partners at Disney over the coming 15 months.