Vatican, Israel end spat over terrorism
Sharon calls Benedict "friend of Israel"
Sep 20, 2005
by Religion News Service
The Vatican and Israel have agreed to end a public feud over terrorism, with Israeli prime minster Ariel Sharon calling Pope Benedict XVI “a true friend of Israel.”
The fight erupted in July when the pope failed to include Israel on a list of countries that had been victims of terrorism. The Vatican rejected Israeli complaints, and suggested that Israel routinely breaks international law when it cracks down on Palestinian militants.
The public dispute had threatened to damage improved relations between Israel and the Vatican.
Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Oded Ben Hur, delivered a letter to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano on August 23 that said Israel was ready to move on, according to the Associated Press.
The fight erupted in July when the pope failed to include Israel on a list of countries that had been victims of terrorism. The Vatican rejected Israeli complaints, and suggested that Israel routinely breaks international law when it cracks down on Palestinian militants.
The public dispute had threatened to damage improved relations between Israel and the Vatican.
Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Oded Ben Hur, delivered a letter to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano on August 23 that said Israel was ready to move on, according to the Associated Press.
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