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(11 May 2016) Israel's independence day celebrations, due to begin Wednesday evening, are being overshadowed by a decision to honour a controversial Greek Orthodox priest during the main torch-lighting ceremony. Father Gabriel Naddaf is one of 14 torch lighters chosen for their outstanding contributions to the state. In his case, it's because of his efforts to encourage members of Israel's tiny Christian community to enlist in the army. But Naddaf's recruitment drive has deeply divided the country's Christian Arabs, who make up just two per cent of Israel's population. He says army service - which is compulsory for Jews but voluntary for Arabs - would better integrate Christians into a society where they often face discrimination. But many Israeli Arabs, who together comprise a fifth of the population, identify with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - and see army service as taboo. Israel's Independence Day is tinged with sadness for many of the country's Arabs, who mourn it as a day of "catastrophe" to remember their brethren who fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948. Adding to the controversy are allegations accusing Naddaf of sexually harassing young people whom he was meant to be helping. He has denied the allegations, which were aired on an Israeli TV station this week, and the Israeli government says there are no plans to remove him from the torch-lighting ceremony. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1d1880ef630b0c35ff275f21daea9082 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork