Israeli, Palestinian reactions to Pope’s ‘State of the World’ address

January 10, 2012

Both Israeli and Palestinian diplomats are praising Pope Benedict’s January 9 address to the diplomatic corps. During the address, the Pope expressed satisfaction that Israeli and Palestinian officials will resume talks through the efforts of Jordanian mediators.

“I am very much pleased that the Holy Father mentioned these new developments which are indeed encouraging--renewing talks after a stalemate of longer than one year is definitely good news,” said Mordechay Lewy, Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See. “We are not a prophet; we don’t know what will come out (of the talks) but it cannot be worse than not talking, so I think the Holy Father saw the light in the window, and he encouraged the lights to be stronger, and I think that’s very much welcomed by us.”

Chawki Armali, the representative of the Palestinian Authority to the Holy See, described the Pope’s remarks as “a very good statement.”

 

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Further information:

• Palestinian representative to Holy See reacts to Pope’s speech to diplomats (Vatican Radio)
• Israeli Ambassador reacts to Pope’s speech to diplomats (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Benedict's 'State of the World' address [Summary/Analysis] (CWN, 1/9)