Pope Benedict XVI has expressed hope that his upcoming visit to Israel will be a "Bridge for Peace." Even before he steps foot in the holy land, that goal seems tainted, say organizers of the annual Chabad Lag B'Omer parade.

By COLlive Reporter

Pope Benedict XVI has expressed hope that his upcoming visit to Israel will be a "Bridge for Peace."

Even before he steps foot in the holy land, that goal seems tainted.

Chabad organizers of the annual 'Lag B'Omer Parade' in Jerusalem were asked by the city's police to relocate the Jewish march.

The Pope has plans to spend the day nearby, police officials said, and asked to move the event from the central Kikar Hashabbat to Chana Street in the Chabad neighborhood.

Organized by Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzach) in Israel, the event marks the yahrtzeit of the Rashbi and is attended the tens of thousands children. It is considered the largest in the world, before the march in Brooklyn, NY.

The papal visit has also irked Knesset member Michael Ben Ari of the National Union Party.

"A state welcome for the pope would be turning our backs on the millions of Jews who were killed in the shadow of the Christian religion of grace and mercy," Ben Ari reminded his fellow lawmakers Tuesday, saying that the pope was a member of the Hitler Youth.

The Knesset House Committee rejected the request to hold a discussion on the matter, Haaretz reported. Ben-Ari has filed an appeal.