(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
January 12, 2000
The State of Israel, and its citizens of all religions, extend
greetings of welcome to Pope John Paul II upon his upcoming
pilgrimage visit to Israel.
The State of Israel commends Pope John Paul II on his part in the
struggle against anti-semitism, xenophobia and racism in all its
forms.
For the past few months, Israeli government authorities, in
cooperation with the Vatican, have been making all the necessary
preparations for the visit in Israel, and the pilgrimage to the
country's holy sites, with the highest degree of grandeur,
distinction and security, as is befitting a dignitary of this
stature.
The Pope's visit in Israel will take place between the 21st and 26th
of March, and will be conducted in accordance with the rules of
protocol applicable to visits by heads of state. The program will
include state arrival and departure ceremonies, meetings with the
President, Prime Minister and Chief Rabbis, and visits to Yad VaShem
and the Western Wall.
The Government of Israel is convinced that the Pope as well regrets
that, due to circumstances beyond human control, he was prevented
from dedicating more of his time to an in-depth encounter with the
resurrection and renewal of the Jewish people in the land of their
forefathers.