Zion Evrony, Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See, shares his thoughts with ZENIT on recent events in the region and the Pope’s upcoming visit, May 24-26.

Evrony:The Christian community in Israel enjoys full freedom of religion and worship. Israel respects and protects religious freedoms and grants full religious rights to people of all faiths, not a common practice in the Middle East. Israel guarantees religious freedoms that allow millions of Muslims and Christians to visit and pray in their Holy Sites in Jerusalem. Today Jerusalem is an open city for all faiths with religious tolerance and diversity.

The recent acts of vandalism against Christian’s sites are acts of few extremists and they do not represent the policy of the government or the feelings of the majority of Israelis. They were condemned by political and religious leaders. The security forces are making an effort to find those who are responsible and a special police unit was established for that purpose. When the criminals will be found I am sure they will be judged and punished.

ZENIT: Are you concerned about security during the visit?

Evrony: All the relevant authorities in Israel – the President’s office, the Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Police, the security services – are involved in the organization of this visit and preparing it in full coordination with the Vatican to guarantee the security of the Pope. He will be safe and secure in Israel.

ZENIT: What do you hope to be achieved from the Pope’s visit?

Evrony: I believe the visit will have a significant impact:

• It will strengthen the relations between Israel and the Holy See and will contribute to the relations between the Jewish people and the Catholic Church;

• It will promote Christian tourism to Israel;

• It will promote interfaith dialogue and understanding between the three monotheistic religions.

Read the complete interview, click here.

Source: www.zenit.org