Pope Benedict XVI Monday joined the international chorus that is demanding the Jews establish an Arab state on Israel`s land.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church aired his plea within minutes of arriving at Ben Gurion Airport at the start of a five-day visit to "the Holy Land."

Speaking in front of Israeli President Shimon Peres - who had just warmly welcomed him with the Hebrew words, "Blessed is he who comes" - and as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looked on, the pope called on "all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own within secure and internationally recognized borders."

Benedict, who is regarded by 1.3 billion people on the planet as God`s representative on earth, was adding his voice to those of virtually every political leader in the world, all of whom are insisting that the Jews hand over the land that same God gave to their forefathers as an everlasting inheritance.

After nearly two decades of their predecessors` failed and painful efforts to secure peace by doing precisely that, Israel`s new government has indicated its reluctance to comply.

Benedict`s stance, said The Jerusalem Post, immediately "put him at odds with his hosts on a trip aimed at easing strains between the Vatican and Jews."

The pontiff`s position also contradicts what the Bible says concerning the ownership and future of this Land - and specifically of the so-called "occupied West Bank."

Hundreds of millions of evangelical Christians strongly oppose what the world is demanding, and exhort Israel`s leaders to withstand the pressure. They believe that the Jews returned from their second exile to reestablish their national homeland in accordance with the foreknown and foretold plan of God.

Netanyahu has in the past described Evangelicals as Israel`s most faithful friends.

In the minds of probably the majority of Israelis, however, the size of the Roman Catholic Church and the consequent massive influence wielded by the pope make it the most important denomination in Christendom.

The pope flew by Israeli Air Force helicopter from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem, where his feet touched down on that part of the Mount of Olives today known as Mount Scopus.