World Zionist Organization Executive chairman Leon Dulzin declined an invitation to meet with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, apparently because it was extended to him an a personal basis rather than as WZO head. The WZO Executive, meeting here today, decided to discuss the incident when Dulzin returns from his current visit to Latin America.
Dulzin reportedly was to have stopped off in Rome en route to Venezuela and to have lunched with the Pope today. Instead, he flew directly to his destination. According to one report, he will meet with the Pope on his way back to Israel. Another report said the Pope will receive Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat next week.
Dulzin was praised for his snub to the Pope by Raphael Kotlowitz, head of the Jewish Agency’s immigration department. He said, at the WZO Executive meeting, that Dulzin acted properly when he refused to meet the Pontiff except as a representative of the Jewish people. “I think all honor and credit goes to Mr. Dulzin,” Kotlowitz said.
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