Vatican in Arab visa embarrassment with Israel
May 14 2009 by Gareth McConnell
Issrael: No work visas for priests
Israel has denied an request from the Papacy to issue around 500 multiple entry work visas to priests in Arab countries.
The refusal comes during Pope Benedict XVI’s official visit to the Jewish State and Palestine, and is further embarrassment following criticism of his visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem where he was accused of not showing enough compassion.
An Israeli official stated Interior Minister Eli Yishai refused to issue to the work visas to the priests when approached by the Holy See, reports Nasdaq.
The pope's first visit to the region has been diplomatically challenging and whether or not it is a success remains to be seen. He is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Nazareth on Thursday afternoon.
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