Photos: Santa brings Dead Sea to life with tree and cheer

Santa Claus came to the Dead Sea as part of a campaign by Israel's Tourism Ministry

Last updated: November 16, 2020 | 07:38

2 MIN READ

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Ein Bokek, Israel: At the lowest point on earth, in the middle of a giant salt lake where animals and plants have no chance of surviving, a jolly man dressed in red with a flowing white beard stuck a Christmas tree in the ground.

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Santa Claus came to the Dead Sea on Sunday ahead of the Christmas season, part of a campaign by Israel's Tourism Ministry to bring some Christmas cheer during a global pandemic that has kept Christian pilgrims away from the Holy Land.

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He rode a paddle board a few hundred meters (yards) offshore to a spot where salt has piled up in a massive mushroom shape, allowing him to stand in the middle of the otherwise much deeper lake.

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With pomp and circumstance he stuck a decorated Christmas tree in the salty bottom, struck a pose for cameras, and then enjoyed an effortless float in the Dead Sea's famous, saline-rich waters.

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Beyond the compelling landscape, Christianity has roots in the Dead Sea, whose surroundings are abundant with remains of ancient Christian communities.

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The Christmas tree, however, had no chance of surviving in the salty waters and Santa took it with him when he returned to shore.

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Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, sits next to a Christmas tree on a salt formation in the Dead Sea, in an event organised by Israel's tourism ministry, as Israel gears up for the holiday season, amid the COVID-19 crisis, near Ein Bokeq, Israel.

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Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, floats in the Dead Sea near a Christmas tree placed on a salt formation, in an event organised by Israel's tourism ministry, as Israel gears up for the holiday season, amid the COVID-19 crisis, near Ein Bokeq, Israel.

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