Israel institutes tighter visa regulations for travelling clergy

A spokesperson from the Israeli government announced recently that members of the Arab Christian clergy will lose some of their travel privileges in and around the West Bank area due to security concerns.

The religious leaders will still be able to travel, although their visas will allow them a single entry only now, according to Sabine Haddad, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. In the past they were allowed multiple entries.

"According to a request by security officials, we restricted the visas of the clergy," Haddad said. "We are trying to find a solution to make it easier for them."

At the moment, no one is really sure how many people will be affected by the new security measures. Christians make up less than two per cent of the Palestinians living in the West Bank area.

In the past, the government of Israel has often eased travel restrictions for Christians, particularly those wishing to make the pilgrimage to Bethlehem for Christmas.



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Jennifer Jones Editorial


27/10/2007


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