Israel prepares for “Jerusalem syndrome”

Israel's mental health services met recently to prepare for a major increase in the “Jerusalem syndrome,” with the expected increase in visitors to the Holy Land at the start of the next millennium

The temporary psychiatric condition-characterised by patients believing that they have become biblical figures such as Jesus, John the Baptist, or Moses-has been known to Israeli psychiatrists for decades. It affects mainly Christian pilgrims but is occasionally diagnosed in Jews who tour holy …