May 14, 2015
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has joined B’nai B’rith International in expressing its disappointment at the Vatican’s Recognition of a Palestinian State. This formal recognition will be part of a treaty to be signed between the Holy See and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
ADC Chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich, issued the following statement:
“Though we are certain that the Vatican’s purpose is to advance the cause of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, this regrettable recognition will not help in any positive way to resolve the impasse. In fact, this move is counterproductive, premature and harmful to the goal of achieving a true and lasting peace between the two parties, since it will only embolden Abbas to keep evading and bypassing direct negotiations with Israel, and support his continuing intransigence. As the USA, Australia, and most of the international community have acknowledged, Palestinian statehood can only be realised within the setting of genuine dialogue and negotiations. When we consider that Gaza is ruthlessly ruled by the terrorist and genocidal Hamas, who seeks to destroy the Jewish state, and the West Bank is governed by the unelected Abbas, one is moved to ask what non-existent State of Palestine is the Vatican recognising. If reports are correct, and East Jerusalem has been included in the treaty, this will be very disappointing and improper since Israel has never relinquished governance of that area under past agreements. The Pope has a constructive role to play, and it should be to encourage the Palestinian Authority to accept mutual, bi-lateral negotiations with Israel, which are the only path for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, rather than adopt unilateral measures which undermine the prospects for a durable solution to the conflict.”
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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