Benedict XVI's preparations for his trip to the Holy Land are under way, as he himself confirmed today in a meeting with a Jewish delegation from the United States.

The Pope was visited today in the Vatican by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Zenit.org, Feb 12, 2009

In January, Patty Shelly, professor of Bible and religion at Bethel College in North Newton, and Doug Miller, professor of biblical and religious studies at Tabor College, Hillsboro, had “the unique experience,” as Shelly put it, of traveling with students to a country at war.

By Melanie Zuercher, Bethel College News Archives., Feb 11, 2009

Egyptian police have arrested a German-Egyptian graduate student after a rally in support of the Palestinians in Gaza and are holding him in a secret location, a fellow activist said Sunday.

Philip Rizk, a 26-year-old student of Middle Eastern studies at the American University in Cairo, was detained Friday and his whereabouts is unknown, said anti-torture activist Aida Seif El Dawla.

A security official confirmed Rizk's detention but gave no other details. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak with the press.

American pastor James Ridgway was honored late last month for bringing some 300,000 tourists to Israel since 1974 through his nonprofit organization, Educational Opportunities, which was also marking its 35th anniversary.

The January 28 event at the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem was attended by about 120 people.

Ridgway first visited Israel in 1959 as an Interfaith Fellow at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. His visit made such an impact on his life that he felt called upon to bring other people here, he said.

NADIA BEIDAS, the Jersualem Post, Jan 28, 2009

The Knesset's "Christian Allies Caucus" is marking five years of operation this month by redoubling its efforts to direct Christian faith-based support for Israel to legislatures around the world.

The increasingly-influential parliamentary lobby, which currently numbers 13 MKs from seven parties across the political spectrum, epitomizes Israel's interest in garnering the support of the largely pro-Israel Protestant evangelical community.

Etgar Lefkovtis, Jan 30, 2009, The Jerusalem Post

Pilgrims often return home from the Holy Land with a feeling of having personally experienced the scandal that is division between churches. Father Frans Bouwen, a priest of the Missionaries of Africa in Jerusalem who faithfully joins his fellow White Fathers in fulfilling their calling to pray for unity, has observed the evolution of ecumenical dialogue for the past 40 years. He spoke with us about the matter, providing a glimpse of current affairs.

Marie-Armelle Beaulieu, Custodia di Terra Santa

A three-member medical team from Hungarian Baptist Aid is in Egypt, helping both Palestinians and Israelis affected by the current Gaza crisis.

Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, gave an initial grant of $10,000 for medical treatment of people who have fled the fighting, in its 13th day as of press time Jan. 8. Other planned relief projects include counseling and relief programs in the heavily bombed Israeli city of Sderot, said BWAid Director Paul Montacute.

By Bob Allen, ABPnews, 08 January 2009

Pastor of the Christian Alliance Church in the old City of Jerusalem writes 12 practical ways you can pray for the situation in Gaza.

"I am not going to report to you more of everything that is going on, since all the news are talking daily about it. The following are ways you can pray for the situation"

Jack Sara, Special For "Come and See", Jan 14, 2009

Braving the humid cold on January 1 in Nazareth, clergy and local Christians inaugurated the new route for visiting the sanctuary of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

“People arriving at the sanctuary didn’t know where to go". There was no route and no indications. This year was a record year as to the number of tourists and pilgrims, while at the same time there was a certain confusion. The project was designed with Jaime Buhigas and Berta Grasset, both from Madrid. They were the architects for the project and are specialists in arranging sacred spaces.

Custodia Web site, Jan 3, 2009