Israeli premier urges Palestinians to 'end the stalemate,' plans to meet with Pontiff

November 20, 2013

Israeli's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has challenged his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, to recognize the state of Israel, saying that a formal recognition would “put an end to the stalemate” and revive hopes for a Israeli-Palestinian peace accord.

The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano gave prominent coverage to Netanyahu’s challenge, noting that the Israeli leader had promised that if Abbas were to visit the Israeli Knesset and recognize Israel, he himself would travel to Ramallah to recognize the Palestinian leadership.

In a related development, the Vatican Insider reported that Netanyahu will meet with Pope Francis in a private audience on December 2. The Vatican has not officially confirmed the appointment. Netanyahu was scheduled to have his first personal meeting with the Pontiff in October, but that appointment was postponed.

 

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Further information:

• Tests of understanding (L'Osservatore Romano)
• Netanyahu to meet Francis on 2 December (Vatican Insider)