JERUSALEM (CWNews.com) - A spokesman for Pope John Paul II voiced his confidence that the papal trip to Israel will be successful, despite protests by a Jewish extremist group.
Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican's press spokesman, downplayed the acts of vandalism in which the Jewish nationalist group Kach had spray-painted the landing pad where the Pope's helicopter will arrive in Jerusalem. Navarro-Valls pointed out that Kach represents a small minority, adding: «All the voices in Israel should be respect, but not all voices are equally represented.»
In fact, the Vatican spokesman continued, the papal banners flying along the streets of Jerusalem bear testimony to the fact that most Israelis are eager to welcome the Pontiff. He said that recent polls had shown 70 percent support for the papal pilgrimage, and revealed that many Israeli groups had responded to the news of the vandalism by sending faxed statements of support.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, for example, issued a public statement urging «Christians and Europeans» not to be misled by «the protests or criticisms against the Pope expressed by the ultra-orthodox Jewish community.»
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update