In an attempt to pump up its flaccid tourist industry, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has launched a new campaign to bring gay, lesbian and bisexual tourists to the Holy Land. Advertising aimed at "proud visitors," features two kippa-wearing men locking lips with the Old City of Jerusalem in the background and same-sex couples floating in the Dead Sea clasping hands.

What's next? Cruising on the Via Dolorosa, the Temple Mount? The Palestinians will take any excuse to start the next Intifada, but I imagine it's the rabbinate whose beards are going to curl at the thought of these tanned hardbodies laying their leather tefillin at the Western Wall. "When the Messiah comes," could take on a whole new meaning.

You have to salute the Ministry of Tourism for trying to bring tolerance to the most intolerant city in the entire world, but I wonder if they'd be so liberal if it were Yitzhak and Mohammed shtupping rather than a couple of sons of David.