Nuncio appeals to Israel to reroute security wall away from religious

Published: 2003-10-29

BETHANY, West Bank (CNS) -- The pope's representative to Israel and the Palestinian territories said he appealed to the Israeli government that a security wall not pass through property owned by religious orders. "In Article IV of the 'fundamental agreement' (between Israel and the Holy See), it states that the government of Israel will respect and protect the property of Catholic institutions. This is not respect," said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio. The archbishop said he had lodged an appeal with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Israeli security wall being built in East Jerusalem and the West Bank cuts across property belonging to the Franciscans and the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. If it is built as planned, it will go through the Passionist Fathers' and Comboni Sisters' properties. Israeli officials have said they are building the wall because of concerns of terrorist attacks from Palestinian militants.

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