Vatican spokesman criticizes Israeli policies

An envoy from the Holy See visiting Jerusalem on Friday stated that Israel has failed to live up to its promises since diplomatic relations were established in 1993.

The Pope and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

The envoy from the Pope, the highest authority in the Catholic church, added that relations between the Vatican and Israel were better before diplomatic ties were officially established in 1993. 

"The Holy See decided to establish diplomatic relations (in 1993) with Israel as an act of faith, leaving it to the latter to carry out its promises to regulate concrete aspects of the life of the Catholic community and the Church in Israel," said Monsignor Pietro Sambi, who is the Papal Nunci to the United States, and was visiting Jerusalem Friday.

Christians inside Israel and in Palestine have faced oppression from the Jewish state, due to the military occupation of Palestinian land and the discrimination against Palestinians.  A small percentage of Palestinians are Christians, some of them tracing their ancestry back to the time of Christ.

The Vatican envoy cited one of many restrictions faced by Christians in Israel: the difficulty in obtaining permits to Jerusalem.  Israeli authorities issue the permits, and they are extremely difficult to obtain – even for Christian clergy members.

In addition, the envoy stated that Israel has failed to keep its promises to ease travel restrictions for Catholics in the Holy Land, and to cease charging taxes on church-owned property.

"Everyone can see what kind of trust you can give to Israel's promises," said Monsignor Sambi during his Friday visit to Jerusalem holy sites.