Striking Israeli diplomatic workers complicate planning for papal trip

March 12, 2014

A work stoppage by workers in Israel’s diplomatic service is complicating plans for a papal visit to the Holy Land, and could endanger that trip, the AsiaNews service reports.

Last week the Vatican said that the visit by Pope Francis in May “will go ahead and according to the set schedule.” But advance planning for the papal visit is now at a standstill, at least in Israel.

Some events on the Israeli diplomatic calendar have already been affected by the strike. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was due to visit Israel this week, has postponed his trip. Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was scheduled to visit Austria later this month, may be forced to change that plan. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for an April trip to Mexico and Colombia are now in jeopardy.

 

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Further information:

• Papal trip to Israel encounters mounting difficulties (AsiaNews)
• Vatican denies rumors that papal trip to Israel is in jeopardy (CWN, 3/7)