JERUSALEM, Feb. 4 (JTA) — Israel has called off plans to host this year’s Miss Universe pageant. In canceling its plans, the Tourism Ministry cited the high costs of staging the event. The pageant had been slated to be held the Red Sea resort of Eilat this spring. The ministry said that in anticipation of commemorations for the year 2000, it is unable to shoulder the burden of the contest. The decision drew anger from Eilat’s municipal government, which had been banking on the contest to boost its economy.
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