Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the region, while the Israeli army kidnaps civilians in the West Bank. These stories and more coming up stay tuned.

The News Cast

On Monday morning Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel for the second stage of his pilgrimage to the Middle East holy sites. He arrived from Jordan which he visited on Sunday.

Israeli officials, headed by Israeli President Shimon Peres, welcomed the Pope at Tel Aviv airport. During his speech Pope Benedict XVI wished a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own, within secure and internationally recognized borders.

In Jerusalem, where the Pope is expected to visit on Tuesday, the Israeli police closed down a Press office set up by Palestinians in the city to provide Press services for local and international Media during the Pope's visit.

The Pope will tour Jerusalem on Tuesday, visiting Jewish, Christian and Islamic holy places in the city.

On Wednesday, he will visit the West Bank city of Bethlehem where he will be welcomed by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. Mohamed Edwan, from the President Press office, talked about the preparations in Bethlehem:



"As Organizers of this even, the Palestinian Authority does not expect any complications, but we have fear from the Israeli side obstacles like what they informed us with that they are closing some checkpoints down."

Elsewhere, the Israeli army kidnapped six Palestinian civilians on Monday during invasion targeting a number of west Bank cities and a nearby village.

Local sources said that three people were kidnapped from the southern city of Hebron whilst another three were taken from the northern city of Jenin.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem. You have been listening to Palestine Today from the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Ghassan Bannoura and Ardil Jabar.