Israel, Vatican discuss status of shrines

JERUSALEM, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- An Israeli delegation left for Rome Wednesday for negotiations on Christian holy sites the Vatican says should belong to the Catholic Church.

Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said one site that will not be transferred is the so-called Last Supper Room on Mount Zion, Ynetnews.com reported. The room in which Jesus Christ is supposed to have celebrated a seder with his disciples the night before his crucifixion is next to what Jews believe is the tomb of King David.

Israel is willing to yield to the Vatican on taxes and a guarantee not to nationalize church-owned property in Israel, Ayalon said. The Roman Catholic Church and Israel have been disputing the status of many holy sites for a decade.

The dispute involves 47 sites, 19 in the West Bank and 28 in Jerusalem.

Control of religious sites is an old problem in Jerusalem, with places holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims sitting on top of each other.

Talks are scheduled to begin Thursday at the Vatican.