Rai first Lebanese religious leader to visit Israel since its 1948 creation

Описание: (26 May 2014) The head of Lebanon's largest Christian denomination was in Israel on Monday, becoming the first Lebanese religious leader to come to the Jewish state since its creation in 1948.
Cardinal Bechara Rai, a Maronite Catholic, made the trip despite criticism at home.
His critics say the pilgrimage implies normalisation with Israel at a time when the two countries remain formally at war.
During a visit to the Latrun Monastery, Rai said his journey celebrated the roots of Christianity in the region and that his journey is purely spiritual.
Lebanon bans its citizens from visiting Israel or having business dealings with Israelis.
However, Maronite clergy are exempt from the ban to enable them to stay in touch with the faithful in the Holy Land.
The Maronite Cardinal also visited a Maronite parish in Jaffa - today part of Israel's second largest city, Tel Aviv - where he was cheered by several dozen faithful.
Rai's visit overlapped with a Holy Land pilgrimage on Sunday and Monday by Pope Francis.
Rai accompanied the pope during his tour of biblical Bethlehem in the West Bank on Sunday, but followed a separate programme on Monday when the pontiff's itinerary included meetings with Israeli leaders.

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