Suheil Dawani, the Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, has gone to court to seek a renewal of the Israeli residency permit that allows him to live and work in the ancient city. The Israeli government recently declined to renew the permit and ordered Dawani and his family to leave the country.
Dawani was elected head of the Episcopal diocese in 2007. He was able to renew his visa in 2008 and 2009. But he was informed in writing last August by the Israeli Ministry of the Interior that it declined to renew the permit.
THey might have mistaken him for a Reform Rabbi. Not a popular thing in Israel.
The bishop is effectively on notice to be deported. This is a serious matter. Does anyone know what the real story behind this is?
[blockquote] After the denial last year, a number of religious leaders, including Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, EpisÂcopal Church Presiding Bishop KathÂarine Jefferts Schori and Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, advocated for Dawani with the Israeli government. Diplomatic efforts through British and U.S. offices were unable to learn the source of the allegations. [/blockquote]
++Williams and Katherine Schori advocating for him – its a wonder the poor bishop hasn’t been deported immediately, with that sort of representation!