Rice hears gripes from religious leaders

Published: 10/17/2007

Condoleezza Rice met with religious leaders in the Holy Land and heard their grievances.

The U.S. secretary of state, in the region to promote a peace conference she is convening next month, met with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders on Monday night.

The Washington Post reported that Rice heard grievances about the difficulties Muslims face in reaching Jerusalem holy sites because of Israel security restrictions, and about Israel's refusal to deal with the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. Rice, according to the report, likened the difficulties to her own upbringing in the segregated South.

Rice also paid a pilgrimage visit to Christian holy sites in Bethlehem.

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