Arieh Cohen

The joint press release indicates that the two parties will me again on 10 February in Israel and 27 May in the Vatican. The Fundamental Agreement does not erase rights the Church acquired in the 19th centuries that preceded the establishment of the State of israel.

Yona Metzger said the Holocaust was preceded by similar acts of vandalism. Jews should respect other religions. There is a danger that the national conflict might turn into a religious one.

The plenary meeting held yesterday at the Vatican described as "friendly" and further meetings scheduled for January and May 2010. The delegation led by Msgr. Balestrero and Daniel Ayalon. Fr Jaeger optimist: The slowness is due to the complexity of the matter. But there is no legal vacuum: the commitment of the Parties to negotiate a new treaty is 'without prejudice' of existing rights.

The most popular newspaper quotes the head of Israeli delegation Daniel Ayalon who speaks of failure in sight. Yet the joint statement exalts "mutual understanding". According to experts, an Israeli government trick to placate anti-Christian fundamentalist Israelis. Concerns over the possibility of confiscation of Capharnaum and the basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Two African priests denied visas, the priests from Europe reduced to a one year visa. Church authorities are worried (for now) afraid to raise their voice for fear of the consequences. The cause for restrictions: the fundamentalism of the Shas party. The Fundamental Agreement of '93 establishes freedom of the Church in being able to "deploy" its staff in the land of Christ. At risk the universal and international character of the Church. A new "visas crisis”is about to break out.

Church’s tax-exempt status was guaranteed on Israel’s foundation in 1948. It would allow worldwide donations to reach the Church in the Holy Land. Other issue is how to protect the holy places from expropriation. Next meeting is scheduled for November, the plenary on 10 December.

The decision is also supported by the Grand Rabbi of Israel, Shlomoh Ammar. Israelis annoyed by the racist gesture. The government cuts funding to the 3 schools that do not want students of colour. Perplexity of the Christian community.

Bilateral Commission makes public list of upcoming meetings till December.

The Bilateral Commission will meet July 9. The U.S. administration has long been concerned with the resolution of problems in relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See, which perhaps will be a topic at the meeting between Barack Obama and Benedict XVI. Father Jaeger is cautious but optimistic.

Only weeks after Benedict XVI’s visit to Israel, Tax Chief Yehezkel Abrahamoff, has seized church funds to force ecclesial institutions to pay tax, instead of waiting for the outcome of negotiations on the fiscal statute of the Church in Israel. A personal initiative or a change in the policy of the Netanyahu government? Possibile problems for schools and hospitals.

During the plenary meeting the two delegations made “significant progress,” but negotiations will continue till next December when a meeting will be held in the Vatican. Since 1999 the Church’s tax exemption status and the return of holy sites and expropriated and razed Church properties are the main issues on the table.

After meeting today, the bilateral commission issued an upbeat press release. Talks between the two sides have been ongoing since 1999. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 30 April in Israel, just before the Pope’s visit. Mgr Pietro Parolin and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon will be present.