Saudi cleric decides against Jerusalem trip

A Saudi cleric announced on his TV show his plans to visit Jerusalem this week — to bolster Muslim claims to the city — but then bowed to pressure and decided to cancel his trip, according to a friend.

Saudi Sheik Mohammed al-Areefi surprised everyone when he told viewers April 5 on his Iqra television show that he would visit Jerusalem. Such a visit would be unprecedented for a Saudi cleric since Saudi Arabia, like most Muslim countries, observes a strict boycott of Israel.

The announcement set off a controversy in Saudi Arabia, and in Jordan, a close friend of the cleric said al-Areefi “revoked his plans under pressure from the Saudi government.” — ap