Pope calls Abbas “an angel of peace” after Vatican signs treaty to recognise Palestine
Pope Francis has called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “an angel of peace” after the Vatican said it would formally recognise Palestinian statehood in a treaty.
Israel hit out at the move, which analysts said was motivated by concerns to protect Catholic Church property and influence in the Palestinian territories.
The treaty, which allows the Vatican to oversee aspects of Roman Catholic life in the areas President Abbas controls, also states that the Holy See still favours a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel.
“We are disappointed by the use of the term ‘State of Palestine,’ it does nothing to advance the cause of peace,” said an Israeli official. In fact it further distances the Palestinians from returning to negotiations.”
It comes after Abbas, who came to see the canonisation of two 19th century Palestinian nuns, was awarded a medallion by the Argentinian pontiff, who said: “It is appropriate because you are an angel of peace.”
The pending treaty between the Vatican and the ‘State of Palestine’ deals with legal and tax issues related to the Church’s activities in the territories.
“The Holy See recognised Palestine a long time ago,” said a Palestine Liberation Organisation spokeswoman. “What is new is that we are about to sign an agreement between them and the State of Palestine.”
However, Israeli officials are concerned that it adds to momentum to recognise full Palestinian statehood, after Abbas won recognition as a non-member observer state in 2012 and following the breakdown in talks last year.
Some 138 countries recognise Palestine as a state, and the parliaments of the UK and France last year were among European legislatures that held symbolic votes calling on their leaders to follow suit.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
