Palestinians Want Exhibit Too

After threatening Disney with a boycott over an Israel exhibit they hadn't seen, some Arab and Muslim groups toured the display Friday and decided they wanted an exhibit for Palestinians.

Six members of the delegation said they planned to meet with Disney officials and demand that such an exhibit be allowed.

The delegation was escorted by Disney officials through the Israel exhibit at Epcot, which is part of Walt Disney World's 15-month millennium celebration. The Millennium Village, which opened to the public Friday, covers 24 countries.

Some members of the delegation said the exhibit was fair but they objected to what they said is the impression that Jerusalem is a unified city.

"It's an excellent piece of propaganda," said Hussein Ibis, spokesman for the Washington-based American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "I expect nothing less from the Israeli foreign ministry."

Arab foreign ministers decided not to boycott Disney.

"These signs will tell visitors what the Israel exhibit fails to explain," said Khalid Turaani, executive director of the Washington-based American Muslims for Jerusalem. He said his group objects to the exhibit because it:

• depicts East Jerusalem as part of Israel
  
• designates Jerusalem as the nation's capitol
  
• marginalizes the roles of Muslims and Christians

Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast War, annexed it and claimed the entire city as its capital. The Palestinians want the eastern part of the city to be the capital of their future state.

The exhibit makes no reference to Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. That prompted a complaint from a Jewish group, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.

"We were disappointed to see that, according to Disney, Jerusalem is the capital of the Millennium, rather than the capital of the state of Israel," said Abraham Foxman, ADL national director.

Arab foreign ministers had considered boycotting Disney over the exhibit but ultimately decided against it last week. Walt Disney World President Al Weiss met with Arab and Muslim leaders in Washington several weeks ago to discuss their concerns.

Two Arab countries are represented at the Millennium Village -- Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

"What we're trying to do here is showcase cultures," said Linda Warren, Walt Disney World's senior vice president of marketing and brand management. "We're completely trying to stay out of poitics."

The centerpiece of the Israeli exhibit space is a 30-foot replica of the Western Wall -- considered the most sacred site in Judaism. A visitor can peer into openings in the Wall and see slides of street scenes in Tel Aviv.