Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., February 20, 2009 Shvat 26, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:37 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Clergy demand Pope postpone Israel trip after 'Like a Virgin' television spoof By Jack Khoury Leading Christian and Muslim clergymen are calling on Pope Benedict XVI to postpone his planned visit to Israel, which is scheduled for May, in protest of a comedy skit seen on the late-night variety television show hosted by comedian Lior Shlein. In a press conference held yesterday in Nazareth, religious leaders denounced Shlein for a spoof entitled "Like a Virgin," which depicts two characters who play Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Advertisement In the skit, Mary is heard saying she had slept with many men and that she was not a virgin at all. The provocative segment prompted Christian lawyers to consider filing legal motions against Shlein and his television home, Channel 10. In response, Shlein sent a letter to one of the attorneys pledging to apologize on the air for the skit. Christian leaders said Shlein's jokes are "hurtful and humiliating to Christianity." Salim Kubti, an attorney and the chairman of an umbrella organization representing Christian courts, said he and a number of other lawyers are considering a lawsuit against Channel 10. "It's clear that Shlein is a failure and as a result is looking for any way to improve his ratings, and he is jumping on a sensitive issue," Kubti said. "These statements go beyond satire and dark humor. These are serious statements that insult the sensitivities of every Christian and anyone who possesses values and mutual respect for other religions." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bibi running scared Netanyahu is talking about a broad coalition only because he is afraid. Happy trails, Ehud Despite the scandals, Israelis are going to miss Olmert.

Read & React Lieberman backs Netanyahu for prime minister Responses: 52 Haruki Murakami: Why I decided to go to Israel after Gaza war Responses: 42 Gideon Levy: Netanyahu, put your money where your mouth is Responses: 77 Rabin's assassin Yigal Amir forced to look at picture of his victim Responses: 28 Israeli YouTube Hitler parody infuriates Holocaust survivors Responses: 74 More Headlines 22:09 Egypt recalls commerce delegation to Israel 23:10 George Mitchell: U.S. committed to Israel security, Palestinian state 00:24 Livni to Kadima: We're going to the opposition 23:27 Indyk: Netanyahu may seek Syria deal to deflect U.S. pressure 23:18 Ehud Olmert, we will miss you 23:15 IAEA: New uranium traces found at suspected Syria nuclear site 18:47 Hundreds gather at Tel Aviv mall expecting cash to fall from the sky 20:30 U.S. Senator John Kerry makes rare visit to Hamas-ruled Gaza 21:09 3 Qassam rockets strike western Negev; no one hurt 23:23 Netanyahu, put your money where your mouth is 00:25 Jewish Yemenite family arrives in Israel after secret rescue 16:56 Report: Vatican readmits society that propagates anti-Semitism 19:21 UAE grants Israeli tennis player Ram visa to compete in Dubai tournament Previous Editions Select Day 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 16 feb 15 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb 08 feb 06 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on 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