Palestinians urge pope to speak their plight

PALESTIN: Palestinian advocacy groups on Thursday urged Pope Benedict XVI to speak out during his visit to the Holy Land against what they said are ?atrocities? committed against their people by Israel.

Pope Benedict XVI?s trip next week comes ?at a time when the indigenous people of this land, both Muslims and Christians, are suffering under an extremely brutal military occupation,? the Coalition for Jerusalem said in an open letter to the pontiff.

?In asking for forgiveness for the atrocities committed by people in our recent history, we are hopeful that your holiness will speak out against the continuing atrocities that are committed against the Palestinian people.?

The letter decried ?demolitions, land and property confiscation, evictions, revocation of residency rights, high taxations,? which it said Israel carries out against Palestinians in a bid to maintain a Jewish majority in Jerusalem.

?Jerusalem today, and under the eyes and full knowledge of the international community is witnessing yet another wave of Israel?s ethnic cleansing crimes that continue since 1948,? the letter said.

JERUSALEM, Friday, AFP