Holy Land Christian leaders believe prayers answered   

by Ross Dunn
Ecumenical News International

JERUSALEM — Christian leaders in the Holy Land believe some of their prayers may have been answered with the dismissal of a top Israeli bureaucrat, who had been denying visas for clergy and volunteers. 

      The firing of Israel’s Population Register director, Hertzel Gedj, by the interior minister, has raised some hopes that Christians have made a critical gain in the battle over the issuing of visas. 

      The Interior minister, Avraham Poraz removed Gedj after noting that controversial decisions were being taken by the official without his knowledge, including stripping Israelis of their citizenship. 

      Gedj also angered Israel’s Foreign Ministry over his refusal to renew or grant visas to dozens of nuns and priests, citing security concerns. His stance caused a crisis in relations with the Vatican, which has diplomatic ties with Israel and with churches around the world. 

      Finally, in the last week of May, Poraz decided to fire Gedj, a move that drew a positive response from legal representatives of Christian organizations. 

     “In the past few weeks, Minister Poraz has become personally involved in this issue,” Yuval Yerushalmi, a legal counsel for many Jerusalem-based Christian organizations, told reporters. “He (Poraz) realizes these organizations donate a great deal to the country and it’s important to allow them to operate smoothly.” 

      But Christians in Israel still see problems ahead. 

      Only last month, a German volunteer for Bridges for Peace, a Pro-Israel Christian organization based in Jerusalem, had her request for a visa renewal turned down. 

      The Israeli Government also appears to have abolished its long-standing practice of allowing Christian volunteers to have their initial visas approved upon arrival and then renewed. A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said that Christian volunteers must now have their visas approved in advance in their home countries.

      In the past, volunteer visas were renewed for up to five years but most are now limited to no more than 27 months. 

      Church leaders in the Holy Land say the volunteers are vital for the successful running of charities and other Christian organizations and they have appealed to the Israeli Government to allow more helpers into the country.