Anti-dhimmitude from Copts who are defying their Pope to engage in their traditional pilgrimage. From AFP,”Egypt’s Copts defy papal ban on pilgrimage to Israel”
CAIRO – A group of Egyptian Coptic Christians left on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, in renewed defiance of a ban imposed by their pope before a settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The first batch of 37 pilgrims left Cairo after they were cleared by Egyptian security, officials said. More pilgrims were to follow, as the Eastern church prepares to celebrate Easter on May 1.
Scores of Copts go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem each spring and remain until after Easter, touring Christian holy sites in the city and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The visits defy a ban by Pope Shenuda III, head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church — and a strong defender of the Palestinian cause — on the travel of Copts to Israel, pending an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The pope has in the past even advised religious leaders in Israel not to give holy communion to Copts for challenging his authority, but many have continued to make the trip.
He has also threatened to excommunicate members for flouting the ban…