What Would Pope Benedict Watch?
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews may have beef with El Al, but Pope Benedict XVI apparently doesn’t.
As the Forward is reporting, the Rabbinical Transportation Committee — an organization tasked with representing the mass transit interests of Israel’s Haredi community — is urging traditionally observant Jews to shun El Al — citing the national air carrier “immodest” in-flight entertainment options (a.k.a. feature films that show men and women in various states of undress).
But the pontiff, also known for his conservative sensibilities, will reportedly travel on El Al en route to the Vatican from Israel on May 15, on the heels of a week-long trip to the Middle East. The designated Boeing 777 will bear the logo of the Holy See — comprising a crown, a key, and nine crosses.
No word yet on the in-flight entertainment on offer for Pope Benedict and his entourage.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
