Palestinian Cause and Israeli Separation Barrier

Israeli separation barrier: Francis issued the surprise, joint invitation after landing in Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity, in a symbolic nod to Palestinian aspirations for their own state. In another unscripted moment, he prayed at the Israeli separation barrier surrounding the biblical West Bank town and briefly donned the checkered black and white headscarf that is a symbol of the Palestinian cause, according to The Star. Jubilant Palestinians cheered Francis as he arrived in Bethlehems Manger Square, shouting Viva al-Baba! or Long live the pope! Giant Palestinian flags in red, white, green and black and the Vaticans yellow-and-white flags decorated the square, which is home to the Church of the Nativity, built over Jesus traditional birth grotto and Pope Francis plunged Sunday into Mideast politics during his Holy Land pilgrimage, calling the current stalemate in peace efforts unacceptable and winning the acceptance from the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to pay a symbolic visit to the Vatican next month to pray for peace. Time for Canada, Israel to stop living in fantasy world: Burman (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.