In another sign of the growing tension between the Vatican and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, a single-page "Non-Paper on Jerusalem" was published on August 6, 1998 by the Holy See's observer mission to the United Nations criticizing Israel for its decision to broaden Jerusalem's jurisdiction. The statement also expressed its support for a decision last month by the Security Council criticizing the Israeli decision. The expansion, announced in June, extends municipal services to several West Bank settlements and incorporates a number of towns within Israel in the Jerusalem municipality. This latest Vatican criticism comes on the heels of an effort by Mr. Netanyahu to block the appointment of a new Greek Catholic archbishop of Galilee. This attempt by Israel to intervene in internal Church affairs angered the Vatican, which expressed its irritation in a sharply worded statement reminding Israel that only the Pope has the right to name bishops and that it would not tolerate outside interference.

HOLY SEE

Permanent Observer Mission of The Holy See to the United Nations

NON-PAPER ON JERUSALEM

The persistent lack of progress in the Middle East peace process is continuing to cause serious concern and is giving rise to a strong feeling of frustration among people in that region, as they see the hopes raised by agreements courageously reached in the past steadily diminishing.

The international community, through resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations, or through agreements supported and encouraged by it, has repeatedly sought, and continues to seek, to build a world in which the right of peoples to self-determination will be ever more respected and the peace and security of every citizen will be more effectively guaranteed. Unilaterally adopted decisions, while giving the impression of being acts of provocation, seem to challenge the validity and even the very force of international law.

"The decision by the Government of Israel on 21 June 1998 to take steps to> broaden the jurisdiction and planning boundaries of Jerusale (S/PRST/1998/21 of 13 July 1998) is causing great disquiet. It certainly does not favor dialogue aimed at a solution of the problem of the Holy City, which is universally recognized as a heritage of humanity and the cradle of the three great monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

In this context the Holy See recalls especially United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/2 of 25 April 1997, which condemned the construction of new settlements in East Jerusalem, and in particular operative paragraph 11 thereof which reads: "Recommends that a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of the City of Jerusalem, which should be reached in permanent status negotiations between the parties, should include internationally guaranteed provisions to insure the freedom of religion and of conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the Holy Places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities".

In consideration of the special identity of the Holy City, an outstanding religious and cultural center in the history of humanity, the Holy See appeals to the international community to ensure the avoidance of irreversible solutions which could prejudice the very future of Jerusalem an cause it to lose the universal character which makes it a heritage of humanity.

At the same time, realizing how important the political question if for the Holy City, the Holy See urges all parties concerned to continue along the path begun at the Madrid Conference and to respect the commitments already reached.
The Holy See likewise urges them not to spare the efforts needed for the attainment of a solution which, based on principles of justice and on respect for legitimate aspirations of the parties, will secure peaceful co-existence of the two peoples and include internationally guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and of conscience of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as permanent and unhindered access to the Holy Places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities.

20 July 1998