Israel has change of heart over mosque -- Envoy

Israel has change of heart over mosque -- Envoy
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 21: The Israeli government has changed its mind about allowing a mosque near a Christian church in Nazareth, according to a Vatican official who has dealt with Israel, quoted by the Vatican news agency Fides.

"A senior Israeli personality, who I cannot name, confirmed to me that the Israeli government has had a serious change of heart about this decision," said Father David Jaeger, who is thought to be a mediator in Vatican-Israel ties. He added that the change had resulted from "pressure from Christian circles around the world."

Pope John Paul II is to visit Israel in March despite the plan for a mosque near the Church of the Annunciation where, according to Christian tradition, Mary was told that she would give birth to Jesus. Nazareth Moslems on November 23 symbolically laid the first stone for the controversial mosque.