PERES HOSTS CHRISTIAN LEADERS, STRESSES COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Jerusalem Post
Dec 28 2009

President Shimon Peres hosted a traditional ceremony at his official
Jerusalem residence on Monday to welcome the Christian leadership
in Israel.

Peres offered his blessings to hundreds of Christian leaders, wishing
them a "Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas."

The president also stressed Israel’s fundamental commitment to freedom
of religion, in Jerusalem and the holy sites.

"It is Israel’s responsibility to make sure every believer can pray
to his or her Lord without interruption," he said. "Israel is deeply
committed to protecting the holy sites for every religion. We will
not tolerate any offense toward any church, mosque or synagogue."

Christian leaders in attendance included Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem
Theophilos III, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal, representative
of the Armenian Patriarch Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, Custos of the
Holy Land, Friar Pier Battista and Greek-Catholic Melkite Archbishop
Elias Shakur.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress