Vatican demands to be removed from UN Palestinian flag initiative

In May the Vatican upgraded its recognition of Palestine as a state in a new treaty.

 

While it will be the first time the Roman Catholic Church signs a treaty with the State of Palestine, the Vatican has recognized the state since February 2013. The new agreement between the Holy See and Ramallah saw the shift in Vatican’s language ratified in a diplomatic treaty.

 

Thus, Vatican’s diplomatic relations are no longer with the Palestinian Liberation Organization but rather with the state of Palestine.

 

“The bilateral commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine, which is working on a comprehensive agreement” on the life and activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine, is putting the final touches to the treaty, the Vatican said.

 

“The agreement will be submitted to the respective authorities for approval ahead of setting a debate in the near future for the signing.”

 

“The Holy See has identified the State of Palestine as such since the vote” by the UN general assembly to recognize it in November 2012, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi had told AFP.

 

“In its annual directory the Palestinian representative is referred to as the representative of the State of Palestine.

 

Israeli officials roundly condemned the move.

 

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