Arieh Cohen

Sheil Dawani is considered a foreigner, having been born in Nablus, while the Anglican cathedral and offices are in East Jerusalem. Without a visa, in theory he can be arrested and deported at any time. Appeal already submitted to an administrative tribunal could have the negative effect of giving reason to the government.

The United States vetoed a draft resolution to stop Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. In this way the U.S. damages their relations with the Arab world, but also risk undermining the "two states" solution. Israel is likely to cancel itself out as the Jewish homeland because it will have to accept a Palestinian majority.

More and more countries recognize a Palestinian state “within 1967 borders”. The hope is to have official recognition of Palestine by the UN. But Israel (and Lieberman) has declared war on this peaceful initiative, the only effective possibility in the face of a stalled peace process.

Celebrations scheduled for January 23 to 30, later than in rest of the world because of the Armenian Orthodox feast of Epiphany. The Christians of Jerusalem invited to discover a "true ecumenism". But the Greek-orthodox churches will not hold common services and other evangelical communities will not participate in the celebrations.

Peace with Palestinians, Lebanon and Syria stalled, growing threats of Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran. But in Israel there is also growing racism towards Israeli Arabs and Africans. The newspapers denounce a reverse form of anti-Semitism. The voice of a Hebrew language Church is lacking.

Renewed settlement activities in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, are a sign of Netanyahu’s impotence, Mahmoud Abbas’ fragility and Obama’s weakness. Every square foot that goes for Jewish settlements makes the birth of a Palestinian state impossible, but it also undermines the idea of Israel as a “home for the Jewish people”. The future could be that of a state for both Arabs and Jews, but Arabs have a higher birth rate.

As has become tradition, the meeting took place in a "cordial" atmosphere and saw "progress." But the joint statement did not mention the dates of future meetings, which had been agreed.

Meeting will have little impact on the practical issues, as the President of Israel is mostly a symbolic figure, but it will take place while attempts get underway in Washington for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The quest for agreements between Israel and the Holy See advance.

For nearly a century, various governments in the Holy Land gave free water to the basilica and pilgrims as a sign of courtesy. Now the Jerusalem Municipality also wants it to pay for past consumption of water. Confusion and concern among the Christian Churches: we agreement among all the groups who use the water at the Holy Sepulchre.

Progress has been made, but a global agreement has not been reached despite negotiations that began in 1993. A deal on shared rules would afford the Church the certainty it needs and reduce frictions and problems with the State of Israel. There is an urgent need for a “personal” diocese for Hebrew-speaking Catholics so that they can interact with Israeli society.

Netanyahu’s hard-line position paid off as the United States backed down on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories. The chances for a Palestinian state are increasingly remote; at best, Palestinians can hope for South African-style Bantustans. The Obama administration has postponed the showdown with Israel in order to form a common front with Jerusalem against a nuclear Iran.

Special joint statement to postpone the plenary from 27 May to 15 June. No hitch or hindrance, only "logistical needs" of both parties.