Chile: Israeli backpackers thrown out of park
Local media reports four Israelis were expelled from Torres del Paine park after they took over cottage intended for all visitors
Chilean media are reporting that four Israeli backpackers were thrown out of the Torres del Paine national park after they "caused a riot" at a resting spot within the park.
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According to AP reports, this is the second such incident this month. In addition, less then a year ago, an Israeli was thrown out when he was blamed for causing a massive fire in the park.
Fire in the Torres del Paine reserve. (Photo: AFP)
Shabas Ruckus
The reports cited the Chile's national parks authority, which announced that police had expelled the backpackers after the group caused a ruckus in the park on Saturday.
According to the authority, the group took over a cottage which was intended to serve as a resting spot for the general public. In addition they claimed that the Israelis acted with blatant disregard to the instructions handed down by local guards tasked with policing the area.
According to additional reports, last month another Israeli was thrown out of the reserve for not complying with park's regulations when he was found in an area barred to tourists. At the park's entrance travelers are required to sign a release promising to remain only in authorized areas.
Forest fires and anti-Semitism
In January 2012, Rotem Singer, a 23-year-old Israeli backpacker, was arrested after he was charged with causing a huge forest fire in Chile's Torres del Paine park; one of the country's most visited tourist sites, specifically favored by Israelis traveling the continent.
Singer denied the allegations, claiming he was unlawfully charged. He was later brought before a judge, where he was subjected to anti-Semitic slurs and insults from local residents and media. Eventually his case was dropped. The Singer family claims he was framed by other backpackers he met during his travels.
