Date: 24 / 04 / 2009  Time:  10:09
Bethlehem - Ma’an -

 Israel’s attempts to prevent Pope Benedict XVI from visiting Aida Refugee Camp during his visit to Bethlehem are proof the country wants to hide its “repressive practices against Palestinians” from the Holy Father, Governor of Bethlehem Salah Al-Ta’amari said Friday.

Israeli occupation terrorist forces stormed Aida camp Thursday night and raided a meeting of the preparatory committee for the Papal visit. Committee members were harassed and questioned then informed that because the camp is in Area C - i.e. under Israeli civil and military control - that organizers must get a special permit to hold celebrations for the pope.

Al-Ta’amari explained that the camp is being included in the tour prepared for the pope because it exemplifies the conditions that many Palestinians live in. Organizers are preparing information for the pope to explain the development of camp life since the Nakba (Catastrophe of 1948) to the present.

Aida Camp is particularly symbolic, said Al-Ta’amari, because it is closed in on two sides by the Israeli separation wall that slices through Bethlehem. He said the actions were an attempt to prevent the world from seeing repressive Israeli policies and condemned the act.

Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Issa Qaraqe’a also condemned the actions Friday morning, saying he considered the Israeli interference in Palestinian preparations as illegal. He said he would hold Israel directly accountable for any interference in the pope’s visit, scheduled for 13 May.

Israeli Occupation hinders Pope's visit to Aida amp

Friday April 24, 2009 12:17 by Maram Isid - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli occupation authorities prohibited residents of the Aida refugee camp, in the northern city of Bethlehem' from continuing work on arrangements for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the camp on May 13th.

In a press release issued by the Committee to receive the Pope, Munjid Jaddoo said that work was being carried to complete the stage where the Pope will be received. It is being built, according to the Israeli authorities, too close to the Separation Wall.  He said that about 5 Israeli patrols broke into the area and prevented workers from contining their job. The men were also filmed by the soldiers. An Israeli officer produced written orders for the work to stop. When the workers refused the officer warnied that anyone continuing to work would be arrested. The governor of Bethlehem,Salah Tamari, said that what had happened was clear evidence that Israel is putting obstacles in the way of the Pope's visit as it would expose its repressive practices against the Palestinian people.