Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 08, 2008 Elul 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 12:57 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 16:16 03/09/2008
Is the Vatican supporting Gaydamak for mayor of Jerusalem?
By Lily Galili, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Arcadi Gaydamak, Vatican 

Arcadi Gaydamak, the billionaire candidate for mayor of Jerusalem, met on Monday with the Vatican's representative in Israel.

The archbishop's official title has been characterized as "the pope's special envoy to the Holy Land," and he is thought to be one of the pope's most intimate confidants. His proximity to the pope thus accords the meeting with special significance, as it has been portrayed as an expression of the pope's official position on the Jerusalem mayoral race.

The meeting was announced on the Web site "Axis Globe," which American officials have been known to use in order to plant anti-Russian stories. The fact that the meeting took place, and that word of the meeting was leaked to "Axis Globe," is intriguing. Under the headline, "The Vatican Made Its Choice," it was noted that Vatican representatives have not met with any other mayoral candidates. In addition, Gaydamak held a meeting with the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theofilos III, who wished him victory in the upcoming election.
Advertisement
The suprising report includes effusive praise for Gaydamak's efforts in aiding the ultra-Orthodox and secular populations of the city. The story mentions that Gaydamak has already won the endorsement of leading figures in the Haredi sector, among them Rabbi Yosef Sholom Elyashiv, MK Ya'akov Litzman, and MK Avraham Ravitz.

In an interview with Haaretz, Gaydamak said the meeting will not harm his standing in the eyes of the ultra-Orthodox but would rather strengthen it because it enhances the position of Judaism and the state of Israel in the eyes of the world.

"Jerusalem is the center for three religions, and the Jewish establishment must solidify constructive relations with Christians and Muslims," Gaydamak said. "This is the only way we will create understanding towards Israel and the Jewish people."

Gaydamak criticized the Jerusalem municipality for neglecting the needs of the Christian and Muslim residents of the city. Failure to address their concerns harms the Jewish public, Gaydamak said, adding that he plans to stay in the mayoral race
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Interfaith grandchildren
A new group is helping U.S. seniors teach their interfaith grandkids Jewish traditions.
Iranian war games
Iran army to hold three-day drill amid speculation over Israeli strike.
  1.   Gaydamak oh Lourdes Lourdes 16:23  |  SJ 03/09/08
  2.   acadi gaydamak for mayor of jerusalem? 16:29  |  yahn goodey 03/09/08
  3.   HE DOE NOT NEED A HELP TO SELL OR BUY RESIDENCE IN JERUSALEM 17:18  |  HAIM 03/09/08
  4.   Israel needs a Michael Bloomberg 17:44  |  Ben 03/09/08
  5.   Gaydamak, pls give regards to Theofilos 18:26  |  SHimon Cleopas 03/09/08
  6.   Part III: The Vatican Dwellers 19:21  |  C.A. Fulghum 03/09/08
 Read & React
Police: Indict Olmert's former partner too
Responses: 42
Gideon Levy: Shin Bet operatives are no better than other students
Responses: 7
Moshe Arens: Likud must say it won't give up Golan
Responses: 11
Muslim immigrants attack three Jewish teens in Paris
Responses: 53
Akiva Eldar: Shas' Eli Yishai is learning from Hamas
Responses: 2


More Headlines
10:50 Police: Indict Olmert's former partner too
07:45 ANALYSIS / Police move won't hasten Olmert's departure
10:14 Olmert's legal team: Police recommendation 'insignificant'
11:50 Hamas denies it will quash Egypt mediation of Shalit negotiations
12:52 Stepfather, father suspected of raping mentally disabled teen
09:53 Golani troops join search for missing Rose's body
12:48 Is Jerusalem really becoming ultra-Orthodox? The figures may surprise you
11:25 VIDEO / IDF offers amnesty to Israelis hoarding army weapons
09:48 Family of Israeli Arab terror victim funds Arabic translation of Amos Oz novel
09:50 Why do the same Ikea products cost more in Israel than abroad?
09:41 U.S. gov't takeover of mortgage giants good for Israeli banks
08:25 2 disabled patients infected with HIV believed to have been raped
12:45 25 Palestinian refugees fleeing Iraq violence relocate to Iceland
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
JMG your online solution
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
MBA in Israel in English
APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available
Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
www. israel-property.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved