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World Jewish News
Israel-Vatican property dispute casts pall over Pope visit
04.05.2009
As Israel eagerly anticipates next week's historic Holy Land visit by Pope Benedict XVI, a dispute over the future of Christian holy places in the country threatens to cast a pall over the festivities.
Representatives of the Holy See have made it clear to Israeli officials that they plan to reiterate its demand to restore ownership of key Christian holy sites, including the Coenaculum, or Room of the Last Supper Supper on Mount Zion, to the Vatican, according to Army Radio.
Officials in Jerusalem have so far refused the Vatican's requests in the matter.
Israel gears up for papal visit
The police and the security establishment have no specific information about potential attacks targeting Pope Benedict XVI, who is scheduled to visit Nazareth on May 14, the northern district police commander said on Sunday.
Speaking at a briefing ahead of the pontiff's visit, Maj. Gen. Shimon Koren said the police will deploy thousands of personnel around the site of the planned mass on Precipice Mountain and at the Basilica of the Annunciation.
The police and the Shin Bet are providing security for the events.
Koren also said that as of Sunday, no requests had been filed to demonstrate against the Nazareth visit. The police will approve protest requests so long as they do not overshadow or disrupt the pope's visit, he said.
Senior police officers at the briefing included Amakim district head Brig. Gen. Zohar Dvir, who will be responsible for security at the basilica, and coastal district head Brig. Gen. Ronny Atias, who will be in charge of securing the mass on Precipice Mountain.
Starting May 13, police will block access to the sites and their approach roads. However, Koren said tourists and pilgrims in Nazareth will be allowed to move freely.
The services at the two sites are invitation only; invitees will be shuttled to the sites from pick-up points.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday launched a Web site dedicated to the pope's visit.
The site - http://popeinisrael.org.il - is in eight languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, German and Hebrew) and contains textual and audio-visual information on the papal pilgrimage, Israel-Vatican relations, and Christian communities and holy sites in Israel.
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Источник: Haaretz
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