Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM2115
2008-11-24 15:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
PAPAL NUNCIO: GOI DENIED PRIESTS ACCESS TO GAZA TO
how-toVZCZCXRO8257 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2115 3291550 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241550Z NOV 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3345 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN PRIORITY 0027 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002115
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND, DRL
FOR PINA, S/P FOR DEATHERAGE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT
SUBJECT: PAPAL NUNCIO: GOI DENIED PRIESTS ACCESS TO GAZA TO
HOLD SOLE CATHOLIC MASS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002115
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND, DRL
FOR PINA, S/P FOR DEATHERAGE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT
SUBJECT: PAPAL NUNCIO: GOI DENIED PRIESTS ACCESS TO GAZA TO
HOLD SOLE CATHOLIC MASS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Latin Patriarchate Chancellor Fr. Humam Khzuz and
Papal Nuncio contacts in Jerusalem told PolOff November 24
that GOI officials denied the Nuncio (Archbishop Antonio
Franco),Khzuz, and Patriarchate secretary Fr. Shawki Batrian
access to Gaza early November 23, causing the cancellation of
Sunday Catholic Mass in Gaza. Khzuz said Gaza's main
Catholic priest, Fr. Manuel, is on leave outside Gaza for the
first time since 2000, requiring the Patriarchate to provide
a substitute to perform Mass. Khzuz said the Nuncio informed
the Israeli MFA of their intended visit on November 18. He
said COGAT authorities called them a few minutes before they
arrived at Erez Crossing on November 23 to say they did not
have clearance to enter Gaza. After they waited several
hours at Erez, Maj. Aviad Zilberman told them that they would
not be permitted to cross, but gave no explanation for the
denial.
2. (C) Nuncio and Patriarchate contacts told PolOff they
will attempt to enter Gaza next Sunday, November 30, as Fr.
Manuel remains on leave and no other Catholic priest is
available to hold Mass. Fr. Khzuz estimated there are about
1,000 Catholics in Gaza, and over 100 had waited for Franco's
arrival on November 23. Khzuz complained that he saw ICRC
and UN vehicles enter Gaza through Erez while the
Nuncio/Patriarchate party waited for clearance, and commented
that the Nuncio will protest the denial as contrary to
international conventions for diplomatic access as well as an
affront to free religious practice.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND, DRL
FOR PINA, S/P FOR DEATHERAGE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT
SUBJECT: PAPAL NUNCIO: GOI DENIED PRIESTS ACCESS TO GAZA TO
HOLD SOLE CATHOLIC MASS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Latin Patriarchate Chancellor Fr. Humam Khzuz and
Papal Nuncio contacts in Jerusalem told PolOff November 24
that GOI officials denied the Nuncio (Archbishop Antonio
Franco),Khzuz, and Patriarchate secretary Fr. Shawki Batrian
access to Gaza early November 23, causing the cancellation of
Sunday Catholic Mass in Gaza. Khzuz said Gaza's main
Catholic priest, Fr. Manuel, is on leave outside Gaza for the
first time since 2000, requiring the Patriarchate to provide
a substitute to perform Mass. Khzuz said the Nuncio informed
the Israeli MFA of their intended visit on November 18. He
said COGAT authorities called them a few minutes before they
arrived at Erez Crossing on November 23 to say they did not
have clearance to enter Gaza. After they waited several
hours at Erez, Maj. Aviad Zilberman told them that they would
not be permitted to cross, but gave no explanation for the
denial.
2. (C) Nuncio and Patriarchate contacts told PolOff they
will attempt to enter Gaza next Sunday, November 30, as Fr.
Manuel remains on leave and no other Catholic priest is
available to hold Mass. Fr. Khzuz estimated there are about
1,000 Catholics in Gaza, and over 100 had waited for Franco's
arrival on November 23. Khzuz complained that he saw ICRC
and UN vehicles enter Gaza through Erez while the
Nuncio/Patriarchate party waited for clearance, and commented
that the Nuncio will protest the denial as contrary to
international conventions for diplomatic access as well as an
affront to free religious practice.
WALLES