[Matchett-PI]

"...Hartuv stressed that this was an attack on Robertson and his comments rather than a rejection of the evangelical community as a whole, which has become a target group for Israeli tourism in 2006.

Hirchson... was scheduled to sign the agreement with Robertson committing the government to provide the land and infrastructure for the project and the evangelicals the funding. ..The government presented its plans for the heritage center and biblical garden in May saying it expected the center to bring an additional 750,000 visitors to the country annually."

Follow the money.

[SJackson]

I doubt this will have much long term impact, and won't be surprised if it's patched up. I can understand Israel's reaction though.