(Communicated by the Government Press Office)
March 7, 2000
The Holy Mass for Youth in Korazim will take place on Friday, March 24,
2000. The mass will start at 10:00 a.m. with the arrival of His
Holiness, Pope John Paul II. Approximately 100,000 pilgrims are
expected to attend making this the biggest event of its kind ever in
Israel.
Prayers will commence at 07:00 by which time the public and press are
expected to be in their respective areas. There will be severe traffic
limitations in the area. Details of these will be published separately.
Pope John Paul II will hold a Mass on Friday, 24.3.2000, on an open field at Korazim overlooking the Mount of the
Beautitudes and Lake Kinneret. The site for the Mass was selected by
Church officials and covers approximately 100,000 square meters.
100,000 worshippers from Israel and around the world are expected to
attend this Mass, which will be the largest event of its kind ever held
in Israel. Approximately 2,500 dignitaries from the Vatican, as well as
Israeli public figures, will be present as guests.
Three parking lots have been built by
the site with room for 2,000 buses. Arrival at the site will be by bus
and ticket-holders only. The work is being coordinated with the
Antiquities Authority, green organizations and church officials.
A field hospital will be set up, and
dozens of Magen David Adom units will be deployed across the site.
Press Coverage of the Holy Mass for Youth in Korazim will be as
follows:
Live Coverage
The event will be covered by live television provided by Italian
Television RAI. All pool transmissions will be coordinated by the EBU.
EBU Special Operations Producer, Mr. Lance Newhart is responsible for
this coordination. Telephone in Switzerland: (4122) 717 2840 ; Mobile
(4179) 200 8794. Fax: (4122) 747 4841; Telephone in Israel:
972-54-636060. E-mail newhart@ebu.ch.
Live Stand-Ups
A special area has been designated and a large raised platform is being
built for approximately 15 live stand up positions. This area will be a
restricted area and only those press who have registered and need to be
here will be given entry. These positions have already been reserved
by the EBU, BBC, SKY, CNN, APTN, REUTERS, MULTICAM, TOPLINE
COMMUNICATIONS and CHANNEL 2.
Individual broadcasters can book transmission time through these
agencies.
There will be no possibility to travel in the immediate area in private
cars. The transportation arrangements are as follows for this specific
area only.
Thursday, 3.23.2000
All OB units and flyaways that have pre-registered with Linda Rivkind of
the Government Press Office should arrive at Kibbutz Ein Gev by 19:30.
They will be provided with police escort to the stand-up area in Korazim
where they can begin to set up equipment. Departure from Ein Gev at
20:00.
It is important to note that at 03:00 on Friday morning, everyone in the
area will be requested to leave in order that the security personnel do
their "sweep". As soon as this is done, re-entry will be permitted.
One person is required to stay for identification of equipment.
Friday, 24.3.2000
06:00 - from Kibbutz Ein Gev: Buses will be provided with police escort
to transport all correspondents and crews to the stand-up area. There
will be no other means to arrive to the area. Security checks will be
conducted at the entrance of the Stand-up area.
It is important to note that coffee and light refreshments may be sold
in the area but it would be advisable that journalists bring food with
them. There will be restroom facilities.
Buses will be provided to return the press to Kibbutz Ein Gev. After
18:00 the traffic limitations will be lifted and pickups from Korazim
will be possible.
Government Press Office contact person for the Stand-up area is: Linda
Rivkind 02-6233389/90; Fax: 02-6233390; Mobile: 052-636588; e-mail:
gpovisit@netvision.net.il
Still Photographers and radio correspondents
A "pool" of about 70 still photographers and radio correspondents will
be assigned a special area in the arena and an audio box will be
available.
Registration to this area is with Danny Seaman at 052-631044..
Members of this group may choose to join the Government Press Office
transportation from the International Convention Center (Binyanei Hauma)
on Friday, March 24 at 03:00. There will be an additional bus
departing from Kibbutz Ein Gev at 05:00. Only journalists who have been
assigned as "pool" will be allowed to board these specific buses.
Press Attendance at the Mass
The Government Press Office will have tickets for the mass which will be
distributed at the Press Center which will open in the Jerusalem
Convention Center on March 19th.
The following transportation will be provided:
Friday, 24.3.2000, 01:00 - Departure from the Press Center in Jerusalem
to Korazim via a short refreshment stop for 10 minutes in Kibbutz
Ginnosar, 10 buses.
Friday, 24.3.2000, 02:45 - Departure from the Marriott Hotel in Nazareth
to Korazim via a short refreshment stop for 10 minutes in Kibbutz
Ginnosar, 3 buses.
Each bus will be escorted by a tour guide and they will leave Korazim at
14:00 on Friday to return to Jerusalem and Nazareth, respectively.
Further information will be available on this event as there may be
changes.
Please visit the special Government Press Office Papal Visit website for
further updates: http://www.papalvisit.gov.il.