Amid the euphoria surrounding the rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners last month, Israel has invited the men to spend Christmas in the Holy Land.
The miners – who became instant heroes after surviving 69 days trapped underground – have accepted the free trip, but with only one condition. They will not go without their relatives – all 70 of them.
Israel says it is considering the proviso, but Palestinians have raised concerns about the idea of an Israeli-organised visit to the occupied territories.
In his invitation to the miners, the Israeli tourism minister, Stas Mesezhnikov, wrote: "Your bravery and strength of spirit, your great faith that helped you survive so long in the bowels of the earth, was an inspiration to us all."
The miners responded by saying they were happy to accept the all-inclusive trip to Christian holy sites.
According to Israeli press reports, the list of travelling companions submitted by the men includes 31 partners, two mothers, 33 children, one grandchild, one nephew and one step-daughter. One miner reportedly asked to bring both his wife and his mistress.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli tourism ministry confirmed the men had asked to take their families with them. "We are considering the petition, but we will not take a decision until next week," she added.
Francisco Carvajal, the Chilean consul general in Israel, indicated that the he had not received confirmation from the either government or the miners regarding an acceptance of the Israeli offer and the enlargement of the group.
But the invitation – for a seven-day stay – risks triggering an angry response from the Palestinians.
"We are not against them coming. But the Israelis cannot invite someone to the house of their neighbours", Fayez el-Sakka, a Palestinian MP from Bethlehem, said.