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In an interview with “Jerusalem Post” Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon, announced Jerusalem is on verge of signing a diplomatic agreement with the Holy See. But the Vatican is exercising caution“We have overcome most if not all the outstanding issues that have prevented signing of this agreement for so long,” said Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon in an interview with Jerusalem Post on the progress of Israeli-Vatican diplomatic relations. Ayalon said he was sure the new Israeli government would “sign soon”: the reason it has not already been signed is that it would have been inappropriate for a caretaker...

The conflict between Israel and the Vatican may be over, but its root causes were not solved. What exactly happened in the clash between the Vatican and Israel last month, which culminated two weeks ago with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon writing a letter to the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano? From the Israeli perspective, the conflict appears simple enough and is due to the fact that the Pope did not condemn the terror attack in Netanya on July 12, which killed five. But from the Vatican's point of view, the affair is far more complex and touches on...

MIDDLE EAST, 2 MAY 2002 (16:36) BETHLEHEM: ISRAELI MILITARY AUTHORITIES SAY “NO” TO VATICAN ENVOY CARDINAL ETCHAGARAY For the moment the hypothesis of a visit of the Holy See envoy in the Nativity complex has been ruled out. Israeli authorities in fact rejected the entry request of the French Cardinal Roger Etchagaray, sent by the Pontiff to the Holy Land to favour a rapid and peaceful solution to the siege of the holy sites of Bethlehem, underway since April 2. The Cardinal will not be able to visit the Church built in the birthplace of Jesus. Some 160 Palestinians,...