Riled by reports that Israel had agreed to participate in the project only if the exhibit emphasized Jerusalem as its capital, some Arab and Muslim groups, including the Palestinian Authority, threatened a boycott against Disney. The Arab League threatened to take unspecified measures if it detected a political message in the exhibit, but after a meeting between Disney officials and Arab League representatives, the Arab League said it was satisfied by written assurances from Disney Chairman Michael Eisner that the exhibit was strictly entertainment. Israeli officials admit the exhibit changed in the wake of the Arab protest, but by all accounts the changes were minor. All along, Israel said publicly that while the exhibit would show Jerusalem's centrality to the Jewish people, it would also present the city as a holy site for Christians and Muslims. Shoval indicated in his public address at the opening that Disney had not caved in to Arab pressure.
Political blackmail is objectionable because it affects the lives of many people.
Political blackmail is another word for terrorism. We praise Disney for not letting it pass. More than 50 countries will be represented in some form in the Millennium Village, which will be open to the public for 15 months. One million people per month are expected to visit the pavilion. Visitors at the Israeli preview expressed delight at the idea of having Israel represented at Disney World and saw the exhibit as a source of Jewish pride.