RICE COMPARES ISRAEL TO SOUTHERN SEGREGATIONISTS/RACISTS

Rice hears gripes from religious leaders (JTA)
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.

Rice in photo op with 'no-land-to-Jews' cleric (WorldNet)
JERUSALEM – Incensing some officials here, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday met and held a photo opportunity with a man enthroned two years ago as Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem even though Israel won't recognize his leadership.

The Israeli government has withheld support for Theofilos III, elected patriarch in 2005 amid charges of church irregularities, due to his position on canceling the sale to Jewish groups of church land comprising much of a key entrance to Jerusalem's Old City. Theofilos also has been quoted by church officials as opposing the sale of Jerusalem property to Jews.