Arieh Cohen

Bilateral dialogue has been ongoing for over 14 years. The date for the next plenary is set for May 2008 in the Vatican.

Annapolis begins. The possibilities for success depend on one simple factor: commitment to peace negotiations that are open and sincere regarding the key issues of Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the definition of the state of Palestinian refugees. An invitation to avoid Oslo’s “errors”, when the “process” overshadowed the “peace”. The need to resolve the “Jerusalem problem”.

The two sides met today at Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Economic Agreement, which includes the Catholic Church's tax status and that of its property in the country, was still on the discussion table.

He managed the territory's only Christian bookshop and in the past had received threats for spreading the Gospel. Hamas promises to find those responsible for the crime. For Fr. David Jaeger, an Israeli Franciscan, the martyrdom of this protestant must push Christians to be free from fear, conditioning and false “prudence”.

It was a brief meeting of 4 hours. Talks adjourned to November next. The Vatican awaits the visit of President Peres.

The declaration should be finalised in time for the peace conference due to take place in November, headed by Rice. The problem of Palestinian refugees and Israeli colonies.

Hamas is rebuked, the PNA will get its money, Palestinian prisoners will be released, but all this is small change compared to Israel’s lost opportunity to start negotiating a peace treaty with the PLO. The last word has not been said though if only the United States and Europe could encourage Olmert in the right direction.

While there’s the risk of increased terrorism with the fundamentalist group’s victory in Gaza, there is also a possibility, if more weight is given to the PLO, for peace in the Middle East. It is urgent that Israel, the PLO and Arab countries begin peace talks.

Death comes everyday to the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks and Palestinian factional infighting, while in Sderot people live in terror of rocket attacks. Israel, Egypt, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union are slow in seeking the only possible solution: a peace treaty between two states based on mutual security and prosperity.

Originally scheduled for last March and then cancelled, it is the first such meeting in five years. An expert, Fr David M. Jaeger, discusses it.

Demands for the prime minister to resign are but the latest shake-up in Israel’s moving political landscape. Even though the economy remains stable uncertainty reigns. One thing is sure though: Israel is going to miss another chance to make peace with the Arab world. As for relations with the Holy See . . . .

The management of Yad Va-Shem agreed to "re-examine" the offensive caption for a photo of Pius XII. Jewish personalities blamed the Yad Va-Shem for the exhibit , but asked the Vatican not to boycott the commemorative event.