US-barred minister gets dinner invitation

Occupied Jerusalem: An Israeli minister barred from entering the United States over his role in a high-profile spy case has been invited to dine with President George W. Bush during his stay in occupied Jerusalem, an official said yesterday.

"Pensioners Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan has been invited to a dinner organised by the Israeli prime minister and other members of the government in honour of the US president," said Eitan's spokeswoman Ela Bar-Or.

Eitan, a member of Israel's security cabinet, was the old Mossad handler for Jonathan Pollard, an American Jew sentenced to life in prison for spying on Israel.

Israel has repeatedly tried in vain to secure Pollard's release.