Israeli president pressing for diplomatic concessions to Vatican?

May 04, 2009

Israeli President Shimon Peres is pushing for acceptance of a proposal that would give the Church control over the most important Christian shrines in the country, according to an Israeli news media report. The report appeared following a May 1 negotiating session at which Israeli and Vatican officials worked to resolve remaining differences on a proposed juridical-economic accord that would define the rights of Church institutions in Israel. Some observers had speculated that the final agreement would be announced before the visit to Israel by Pope Benedict XVI this month, but the negotiations ended with an announcement that the talks would continue in December.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• 'Peres wants to yield sites to Vatican' (Jerusalem Post)
• Plenary of permanent commission: Holy See-Israel (VIS)