Israel-Vatican Negotiations On Taxes, Property Resume

In Jerusalem yesterday, two days of negotiation began between Israel and the Holy See in the nearly ten-year effort by the Israel-Holy See Permanent Bilateral Commission to work out the Catholic Church's tax status and agree on protection of Church properties and ownership of several sacred sites. Asia News reported yesterday that the negotiations are being held amidst rumors of a planned trip by Pope Benedict XVI to Israel next May-- a visit that the Israeli government strongly supports. At issue in the long-running negotiations are differences over the implementation of the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and Israel. While mutual recognition treaties were signed by Israel and the Vatican in 1993 and 1997, negotiations on details have never been completed. (See prior posting.)