Much like Israel and the Oslo accords, the Vatican signed a treaty recognizing the ‘State of Palestine’ last June as a sign of supporting the 2-state solution, in hopes the move would protect the Palestinian Christians as Pope Francis is eager to have a greater diplomatic role in the Middle East.

By Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

An agreement signed last year making official the Vatican’s de facto 2012 recognition of “Palestine,” has come into effect, the Holy See said on Saturday.

Pope Francis (right) embraces Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas May 17, 2015. – Photo: Reuters

The Vatican signed its first treaty with the “State of Palestine” last June when it called for moves to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and backed a two-state solution.

“The Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for [the accord’s] entry into force have been fulfilled,” the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2012 recognizing the Palestinian Authority as a nonmember observer state. This was welcomed at the time by the Vatican, which has the same nonmember observer status at the United Nations.

In October 2014, Sweden acknowledged the State of Palestine, a decision that drew condemnation from Israel and led to tense relations between the two countries.

Israel has previously called the Vatican accord a hasty move that could damage prospects for advancing a peace agreement and impact its future diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

But the Holy See under Pope Francis is eager to have a greater diplomatic role in the Middle East, from where many Christians have fled because of conflicts in Syria, Iraq and other countries.

“The agreement … regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region,” the Vatican said.

View original Israel Hayom publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30863