Israel removes landmines from Jesus baptism site

Pilgrims are flowing back to the traditional site of Jesus' baptism
on the West Bank of the Jordan River as Israel removes 40-year-old
landmines and makes improvements to the area.

"It is a very
sensitive place politically and religiously and is of importance to both
Christians and Jews," said Lt. Col. Ofer Mey-tal of Israel's department
of Civil Administration, which oversees the project.

Located in a
closed military area near Jericho, the site—called Qasr el Yahud—has
been revered since the fourth or fifth century as the place where John
the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Jewish tradition holds that
this site is also where the ancient Israelites crossed into the
Promised Land following their flight from Egypt.