"Israel" rescinds Arab Christian clergy travel rights in W. Bank

Source: AP, 27-10-2007
"Israel" has rescinded some travel privileges for Arab Christian clergy traveling to and around the West Bank because of security concerns, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said Friday.
"The decision means the religious leaders` visas will be good for one entry only, and not for repeat visits as in the past," spokeswoman Sabine Haddad said. "This means they will be required to coordinate each trip they make," she said.
"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."
A small Christian minority lives in "Israel" and the Palestinian territories, with members of the religion comprising less than two percent of the Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear how many Christian leaders would be affected by the change.
Father Jack Abed, a parish priest of the Melkite Catholic community near the West Bank town of Ramallah, said the new rule violated understandings between "Israel" and the Vatican.
"One of the agreements is the freedom of movement and worship," he said.
"There is no freedom of movement if `Israel` wants to limit visas to a single entry," he added.