Israel and environmentalists spar over the safety of baptism in the Jordan River

Israel, green group dispute Jordan River’s safety

JERUSALEM — The Israeli government and environmentalists are sparring over the safety of a site on the Jordan River where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus.

The green group Friends of the Earth-Middle East says the site known as Qasr el-Yahud is unsafe for baptism because of the amount of sewage pumped into the famous river from Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.

The government said on Tuesday that tests show the water’s pollution levels are less than a tenth of the accepted standard and the site is perfectly safe. It says about 100,000 Christians visit it every year.

Israel is building sewage treatment plants that are supposed to end the Israeli waste flow into the river by next year.

The Jordan River has dramatically shrunk as its waters have been diverted for agriculture and drinking.