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"Things came to a head last month, when [Israeli Foreign Minister] Shimon Peres was in the Vatican and the Pope did not agree to meet with him," one official said.

The diplomatic representative of the Holy See in Jerusalem, Pietro Sambi, said that the Vatican opposed construction of the mosque close to the Basilica of the Annunciation, but had no objection to Muslims building a shrine for their religious needs on an alternative site.

The Israeli cabinet has entrusted the housing minister, Natan Sharansky, with finding a solution to the issue, and presenting his findings within two weeks.

Israeli government officials reportedly favor proposing that a larger mosque be built at an alternative site.

Copyright © 2002 ENI

Additional articles about the decision include:

Cabinet halts Nazareth mosque construction — The Jerusalem Post (Jan. 10, 2002)

Gov't freezes Nazareth mosque — Ha'aretz (Jan. 10, 2002)

Mosque near Christian shrine is blocked by Israeli officials — The New York Times (Jan. 10, 2002)

Israel halts mosque construction — BBC(Jan. 10, 2002)

Israel halts mosque's construction — Associated Press(Jan. 10, 2002)

Christians unite to oppose Nazareth mosque — The Jerusalem Post (Dec. 22, 2001)

Pictures and more information on the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth are available online.

Previous Christianity Today coverage of the dispute includes:

Nazareth Mosque Dispute Darkens Papal Visit To Israel | Vatican claims Israel is playing Christians and Muslims against each other (Nov. 30, 1999)

Christians Protest Proposed Mosque | Nazareth Churches shut down for two days in show of disapproval (Nov. 15, 1999)

Preparing for Pilgrims | Religious rivalry complicates millennial planning. (June 14, 1999)

See World Report for more Christianity Today articles on Israel.

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January (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46