Catholic World News News Feature
Christian pilgrims face Israeli restrictions in Holy Land January 22, 2004
Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land are encountering obstacles created by Israeli government policies, the AsiaNews service reports.
Foreign visitors entering Israel are now receiving a leaflet notifying them that entry into Palestinian territory is "forbidden" unless they first apply for ande receive authorization from the Israeli foreign office. Without this authorization, pilgrims cannot visit the religious sites of Bethlehem, Jericho, or Emmaus.
Vatican officials have complained that the Israeli restrictions on travel by visitors is a violation of the "fundamental accord" with the Holy See, in which the Israeli government guaranteed free access to all shrines, and cooperation with Christian pilgrimages.
[For a detailed report on the Israeli travel restrictions, see the AsiaNews web site.]
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