Israel condemns Holy See’s decision to recognise Palestine

The Israeli Government has signalled its “disappointment” with the Holy See for its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Tensions were further exacerbated when Pope Francis was reported as telling President Mahmoud Abbas, “You are an angel of peace,” at the canonisation of two Palestinian nuns.

Sisters Marie Alphonsine Ghattas, of Jerusalem, and Mariam Bawardy, of Galilee, were honoured alongside an Italian and a French nun last Sunday, becoming the first Palestinian saints of the modern age.

Observers welcomed the move as a gesture of support for persecuted Middle Eastern Christians.

On Saturday, Francis presented the Palestinian leader with a bronze angel of peace following a meeting between the two men at the Vatican. It was reported that Francis had told Abbas “You are an angel of peace”, prompting some Israeli media to point out that he is accused of helping to finance the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre. Later a Vatican spokesman said he had not heard Francis’ exact words but that they had been meant to encourage Abbas “to be an angel of peace”.

Earlier in the week, the Holy See formally recognised Palestinian statehood in a bilateral treaty. Mgr Antoine Camilleri, the Vatican deputy foreign minister, commented: “The accord could, even in an indirect way, help the Palestinians in the establishment and recognition of an independent, sovereign and democratic state of Palestine.”

An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman responded with “disappointment” to the move. “Such a development does not further the peace process and distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct bilateral negotiations,” he said. “Israel will study the agreement and consider its next step.”
The Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, criticised “the use of international forums to attack Israel”.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, called the nuns’ canonisation “a message of solidarity and encouragement” to Christians from the Middle East who have been displaced or persecuted on account of their faith.