ROME, Mar. 8, 01 (CWNews.com/Fides) - A leading Franciscan expert on Israeli-Holy See relations pronounced the new Israeli government announced on Wednesday as opening the door to progress in the pursuit of peace.
Father David Jaeger, an Israeli Franciscan said of the opening speech made by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Knesset in Tel Aviv: "Moderate, open, possible." He added, "Gen. Sharon seems to have put aside former rhetoric. Let us hope words will be followed by facts." Father Jaeger hailed the new Israeli executive with the Jewish greeting, "Shalom, Peace!", hoping for concrete policies to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.
The Franciscan said the best path is through the Madrid Conference for Peace in the Middle East region. "To re-launch the peace process, the new government will need massive encouragement by both Europe and the United Sates. Ten years after the inauguration of the Madrid Conference, seeing attempts to sidestep it have failed, the most promising path is to return to Madrid."
The Conference, Father Jaeger said, should also resume the double presidency of Russia and the US, with the participation of Europe and the United Nations, for coordinated progress on two fronts: Israel-Palestine and Israel-Syria-Lebanon. "There is no time to lose," he said. "Any delay in resuming the peace process will only intensify armed conflict and terrorism."
From the Christian point of view, he said it is to be hoped that the new government will be committed to guaranteeing religious freedom. "Everyone in Israel was shocked when General Stern, head of the army education service, voiced doubts about the patriotism of Israeli Christian solders, urging them to change their faith", Father Jaeger reported. "Further progress must also be made in Holy See-Israel relations. The Church is anxious to provide spiritual assistance for Israeli Christian soldiers."
Another delicate point, Father Jaeger said, is the question of the mosque at Nazareth. "We are waiting for the new government to cancel the previous decision to allow the building of a mosque on the door step of the Annunciation Basilica in Nazareth. This step is decisive for Christian-Jewish relations, and for relations between Israel and the Holy See."
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
8. mars 2001