Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Israeli Town Will Pay $1M for Mermaid Pic

Tourists swarm town after mythical(?) creature siting

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2009 1:00 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Mermaid fever has hit the Israeli town of Kiryat Yam: Several eyewitnesses recently reported spotting the mythical creature—described as a cross between a girl and a dolphin—frolicking off the coast at sunset. Whether that’s true or not, tourists have been flocking to Kiryat Yam in hopes of catching a glimpse, and local officials are fueling the buzz by offering $1 million to anyone who snaps her picture.

“People are telling us they are sure they have seen the mermaid, and they are all independent of each other,” said a local council spokesman. “I believe if there really is a mermaid, then so many people will come to Kiryat Yam, a lot more money will be made than $1 million.”

A diver dressed as a mermaid, performs at an aquarium at the Guangzhou Ocean World on August 3, 2005 in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, south China.
A diver dressed as a mermaid, performs at an aquarium at the Guangzhou Ocean World on August 3, 2005 in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, south China.   (Getty Images)
'Mermaid' Hannah Fraser swims in the new exhibit at Sydney Aquarium in this file photo.
'Mermaid' Hannah Fraser swims in the new exhibit at Sydney Aquarium in this file photo.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Snarfeh
Aug 15, 2009 6:43 AM CDT
@Mr. C - Only you control yourself, man. If it makes you livid, it's because you let it make you livid. I've done it, too..that's how I know. =o) @mad - Good one! ^5!
MarkFL
Aug 15, 2009 6:05 AM CDT
It just goes to show that people are F&*(& in g idiots. Sorry Israelis. This BS is even dumber than thinking that a space wizard promised you land. Perhaps the mermaid thing will not cause 60 years of bloodshed and hatred. Soon you will come to see that your mermaid is a myth and this will trickle down into all of the other ridiculous mythology that you think is true. Then, we will truly begin talk about reconciliation and peace instead of fighting over the will of two imaginary gods. Pathetic! Besides everyone knows that if you snap a picture of a mermaid a unicorn will stop producing lollipops. Do we really want to go down that road?
cognitivefilter
Aug 15, 2009 5:13 AM CDT
that tom hanks movie was H-O-T

 
Israel • tourism • reward • Mermaids

More Newser Stories

Calm Is a Tourist Boon for Bethlehem

Gay Tourism 'Tricky' for Israel

Israelis Eye Building Islands

Israel Blames Iran for Dual Car Bombs

Madonna Fans in Israel: Don't Bomb Iran Before Show
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne