Uncertainties Surround Holy See-Israel Meeting
Washington's pressures not heeded and Sharon's will thwarted
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) The first meeting of the Permanent Joint Working Commission set up by the Holy See and the State of Israel ended after only three hours without any official statement. The meeting took place in Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is normal routine that the Commission meet for about eight hours with short breaks. This time the meeting lasted just a few hours. The arrival and departure of the Vatican delegation went unnoticed by any member of the press corps attached to the Ministry. It is very likely that the Vatican delegates came and left by a side entrance.
Leading the delegation of the Holy See was Monsignor Gianfranco Gallone; Ambassador Gadi Golan led that of the State of Israel.
Neither delegation released any statement; however, sources close to both told AsiaNews that discussions went nowhere because the Israeli party was not authorised to negotiate any of the outstanding issues.
The Fundamental Agreement signed by the Holy See and the State of Israel 10 years ago was supposed to include a series of accords that would ensure the Church's rights and privileges in Israel. Israel has not however passed any law fulfilling its obligations under the terms of the agreement.
On August 28, 2003, Israel withdrew from the negotiations without any explanations at a time when the two parties were working on provisions protecting Church properties and tax exemptions.
In Jerusalem, suggestions are that Israel's willingness to go back to the negotiating table after a year absence was largely, if not exclusively, due to US pressures. Sources told AsiaNews that "this morning's meeting was meant to allow Israel to show Washington that it was doing its part, whilst at the same time allow it to avoid making concrete progress on the commitments it had undertaken vis-à-vis the Holy see."
American pressures had found in Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon a willing partner. Experts in Jerusalem wonder why the Prime Minister's wish has not yet been translated into fact. Questions are also being asked as to where the negotiations will lead.
Whatever the answer, next meeting is tentatively scheduled for this September.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Father David Jaeger, spokesperson for the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and legal advisor to the Vatican delegation said: "I do not have the authority to say anything concerning the meeting. But I am personally confident that the negotiations will be successful and I am reassured [for the outcome, Editor's Note] by the very cordial mood prevailing among the negotiators."
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