A delegation of Chilean miners (pictured on the right at their arrival in Tel Aviv; photo: Andres Lacko) who were rescued last year after being trapped more than two months in a collapsed mine are currently on a tour of Israel. At a meeting with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres recited a thanksgiving blessing. "The whole world followed your rescue with excitement and your unbelievable display of solidarity and love. You proved your determination and strong will and we all prayed for your safe and complete return to your homes. Israel embraces you warmly and is proud to host you here in Jerusalem," Peres told the miners. "It is a miracle from above that you are here with us today."
The representative of the Chilean miners, Raul Enrique Bustos said: "We thank God for the opportunity he gave us to visit Israel, one that filled all of us with great joy. Today, we all say thank you to the people of Israel and we are hopeful that God will bless Chile and Israel. The connection between our peoples will benefit from God's blessing." The 25 miners and their spouses arrived in Israellast week for an eight-day visit, billed as a Pilgrimage of Thanks, which is being organized by Israel's Tourism Ministry. Their itinerary includes a number of Christian holy sites.
