CAIRO: Egyptian officials announced on Wednesday that they have cancelled a controversial Jewish festival at the burial site of Rabbi Abu Hasira, citing concerns over instability in the country. The annual festival has been celebrated by thousands of Jewish pilgrims who folk to Egypt's Nile Delta province of Beheira since Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Peace Accords in 1979. The Morrocan rabbi was said to have died in the Delta town of Damtu in 1880. The festival has angered many Egyptian locals who believe that the rituals celebrated contradict Islam. Anger within the local community has also flared over heightened security measures enacted during the annual festival. The decision came after political groups launched a campaign to protest the annual influx of Israeli tourists. “The decision was conveyed to Israel more than two months ago,” said an Egyptian diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The Israeli Jews have showed understanding of the decision and confirmed their respect of it,” continued the source. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/bRQzq Tags: Abu Hasira, featured, Israel Section: Egypt, Latest News, Religion
