Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel and promptly called for a Palestinian homeland. The AP:
''The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and
stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace,'' he
told a welcoming ceremony at Israel's international airport. ''In union
with people of goodwill everywhere, I plead with all those responsible
to explore every possible avenue in the search for 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.''
Quoth Israeli spokesman Yigal Palmor: "Discussing this is not the purpose of the visit.."'
