Arabs Appeal To Vatican

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30855, 14 September 1965, Page 17

Arabs Appeal To Vatican

(N Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

DAMASCUS, September 13.

Christian communities in the North Syrian town of Aleppo organised a big procession yesterday to protest, against the Vatican Ecumenical Council’s document concerning the Jewish peoples part in the crucifixion of Christ.

The demonstrators toured the main streets of Aleppo carrying placards which read “Christianity Will Never Absolve Jews of Deicide,” and “The Pope Will Not Frustrate the Hopes of the Arab People.” The demonstrators sent

telegrams to all patriarchs and bishops of Christian communities in the East who are in Rome for the council meeting. They appealed to them to continue blocking the passage of the document absolving the Jewish people of deicide “so that it will not be exploited by world Zionism as a weapon to achieve its evil intentions against the Arab people.” Clashes may be sparked during the Ecumenical Council session by some textual amendments which are due to be proposed to a statement on the Jews contained in a draft declaration on non-Christian religions. Well-informed sources believe the aim of the prepared amendments, so far unpublished, is to avoid misunderstandings by both Jews and Arabs.