The Israel Government will afford fullest protection to every religious community, and will support the constructive activities of every denomination in Israel, Dr. Zorach Warhaftig, Israel’s Minister for Religious Affairs, declared here today. His statement was contained in a reply to Bishop Pierro Chippero, Israeli vicar of the Latin Church, who asked the Ministry yesterday to disassociate itself from “attacks” and “slanders” against Christian missionary schools in Israel.
A Ministry spokesman earlier reacted to the Bishop’s allegations by describing as “unfounded” a charge that the Ministry financed a “smear campaign” against educational institutions of any church in this country.
In his letter to Bishop Chippero, Dr. Warhaftig asserted that there is complete freedom of religion in Israel and that the Ministry always fostered amicable relations among the various denominations. He expressed regret that a clergyman, Father Gaetani Pieri, of the Latin monastery in Acre, was involved in a fracas with a neighboring shopkeeper which resulted in each charging the other with assault and damage. He also regretted that the Bishop’s apprehensions, though unfounded, were first aired at a press conference.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
