Cabinet approves Greek Orthodox Patriarch's appointment

      In Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos 3rd, has finally won the approval of the government on his appointment. More than two years after he was first sworn in, the cabinet agreed to his appointment by a vote of 10 to three. The Shas party voted against and raised reservations about Theofilos's reported commitment to blocking any future sale of church lands to Jews. His predecessor, Irineos 1, was ousted in 2005 after allegations rthat he leased church lands in East Jerusalem to Jewish groups.(10,52)