Nazareth's Christians ally against mosque

By Steve Weizman
Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Roman Catholic and Anglican priests have joined in a Christmas offensive against Muslim plans to erect a mosque in the shadow of the Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the spot where tradition says the Angel Gabriel foretold the birth of Jesus.

The Israel Trust of the Anglican Church said the plan by the Islamic Movement in Nazareth to build a major mosque on the site was a provocation aimed at further marginalizing the Christian minority.

The mosque dispute first arose when the Nazareth municipality approved a plan for the construction of a paved plaza outside the basilica for the tens of thousands of pilgrims expected during millennium celebrations. The Islamic Movement protested the plan, setting up a mosque tent on the plaza. Israeli government mediators eventually approved a Muslim request to build the mosque at the site.

The plan has drawn wide criticism. Pope John Paul II threatened to cancel a millennium visit to the Holy Land over the issue, and the Vatican said last month that construction of the mosque would "put this holy place in a permanent state of siege." During Easter 1999, the issue sparked street clashes between Muslim and Christian residents. President Bush has raised the subject with Israeli leaders, who pledged to try to resolve the dispute.