umkahlil

I had posted here earlier regarding the Dalai Lama's trip to Israel. According to the letter below, in response to a letter expressing concern that His Holiness was to attend an event celebrating David Ben Gurion, the Dalai Lam's visit "is not at all connected to the Ben-Gurion celebration."

Dear Anne,

I have been directed to reply to your email addressed to His Holiness the
Dalai Lama dated 15 January 2006.

We appreciate that you have shared your comments with us and want to let
you know that His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Israel is not at all
connected to the Ben-Gurion celebration. His Holiness was invited to visit
Israel by the Israel Friends of Tibet and His Holiness's other teaching and
speaking commitments determined the dates of his visit. His Holiness has
accepted an invitation to speak at Ben-Gurion University where he will give
a public talk and there will be a short ceremony honoring His Holiness.

His Holiness will also be visiting Bethlehem as the guest of the city and
the Holyland Trust, a Palestinian NGO, is organizing his trip there.

This will be His Holiness's fourth visit to Isreal, and as you hopefully
know, His Holiness is a tireless promoter of peace and always stresses the
need for dialogue as a non-violent way to solve conflicts.

All the best,

Rinchen Dhondrub