Angry at his decision not to meet Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, protesters reportedly pelted UN chief Ban Ki-moon's car with shoes and chairs as he visited Gaza today. At a press conference in Gaza, Mr. Ban, who is visiting the region to try to kick-start stalled peace negotiations, called on Palestinians to stop launching rockets into Israel, and for Israelis to guarantee freedom, human rights and dignity for the Palestinian people. Full story
With a solemn liturgy presided by the minister general of the order of Friars Minor, Father José Rodriguez Carballo, the third International Conference of the Commissaries of the Holy Land opened in Jerusalem on January 30th. The Commissaries are in charge of supporting the Custody and promoting pilgrimages wherever there is a Franciscan province. Over 90 delegates from forty countries will be participating in the event. Full story
The bilateral permanent working commission between the State of Israel and the Holy See appears to have made significant progress, according to a statement released this afternoon. The plenary meeting, hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concerned the ongoing quest to reach an accord concerning part of the 1993 Fundamental Agreement dealing with economic and fiscal matters. Full story
He is famous all over the world and has sold 70 million albums. In an exclusive interview with Terrasanta, the tenor Andrea Bocelli talks about his relationship with God, faith and the Holy Land, which he visits regularly. Here are some extracts from the interview by Manuela Borraccino. The full interview will appear soon also in The Holy Land Review. Full story