The president of the U.S. bishops’ conference has asked Condoleezza Rice to exert pressure on Israel to comply with the agreements signed with the Holy See. “We are deeply dismayed by the lack of progress, and we fear a lack of commitment, on the part of the Israeli government in negotiations with the Holy See over economic matters and other vital concerns to the Catholic Church and the wider Christian community in the Holy Land,” affirms Bishop William Skylstad in his letter to Secretary of State-designate Rice. The president of the U.S. bishops’ conference has asked Condoleezza Rice to
exert pressure on Israel to comply with the agreements signed with the Holy
See.

“We are deeply dismayed by the lack of progress, and we fear a lack of
commitment, on the part of the Israeli government in negotiations with the
Holy See over economic matters and other vital concerns to the Catholic
Church and the wider Christian community in the Holy Land,” affirms Bishop
William Skylstad in his letter to Secretary of State-designate Rice.

The prelate referred to the application of the Fundamental Agreement of 1993
between the Holy See and the state of Israel.

“Our concerns do not minimize the suffering of Jews and Muslims, but the
issues between the government of Israel and the Holy See are also of great
importance for religious liberty, not only for the Catholic Church but for
the vitality of the all Christian communities within Israel,” wrote Bishop
Skylstad of Spokane, Washington.

“We urge the administration to address these matters with the government of
Israel and to move this process forward expeditiously and effectively,” the
letter continued.

“In the Fundamental Agreement, the Holy See formally recognized and
established diplomatic ties with the state of Israel, an action in accord
with the wishes of successive U.S. administrations,” recalled the bishop.

“This recognition proceeded even without a full resolution of outstanding
major issues of concern to the Church,” he added, “but with the promise by
the Israeli government that these would be addressed through further
negotiations.

“The agreed-upon bases for these negotiations were the rights acquired by
the Church prior to the U.N. mandate establishing the state of Israel. These
rights were reaffirmed in the U.N. mandate establishing the state of Israel
and in the Israeli Declaration of Independence.”

Bishop Skylstad continued: “Among the most critical issues facing the Church
in Israel is its ability to maintain its rights to Church properties.
Maintaining these properties is key to the mission and ministry of the
Church in the Holy Land and thus its religious freedom.

“The exercise of arbitrary taxation policies by the government of Israel
against Church properties and the government’s denial of access to due
process through Israeli courts to settle property disputes violates
international law and the history of the prior rights of the Church.”

“While these negotiations have faltered previously, it was only with strong
U.S. encouragement that they were revived in July 2004. Unfortunately, the
revival of talks has been hesitant and fitful,” the prelate observed.

“In addition, we have been told the Israeli negotiators have not had full
empowerment to conduct talks with the degree of seriousness they need,” he
added. “The failure to enact and implement the Fundamental Agreement,
including the lack of progress in negotiations on economic matters, raises
serious questions about the basic commitments made by the Israeli
government.

“U.S. intervention in this matter is critical. We ask you to urge the
government of Israel to renew its negotiations with the Holy See without
further delays.”

Today, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to confirm Rice’s
appointment as the new secretary of state, to replace Colin Powell. The
appointment now faces a vote in the full Senate.
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