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http://www.news.va/en/news/communique-of-the-holy-see
2012-11-30 L’Osservatore Romano
Today the General Assembly has given majority approval to the
Resolution by which Palestine has become a Non-member Observer State of
the United Nations.
1. The Holy See has followed actively the steps which have led to
this important decision, while striving to remain neutral between the
Parties, and to act in accordance with its particular religious nature
and universal mission, and in consideration also of its specific
attention to the ethical dimension of international problems.
2. The Holy See considers, moreover, that today’s vote should be
placed within the context of the efforts of giving a definitive
solution, with the support of the international community, to the
question already dealt with by Resolution 181 of the General Assembly of
the United Nations of 29 November 1947. That document is the juridical
basis for the existence of two States, one of which has not been
constituted in the successive sixty-five years, while the other has
already seen the light.
3
. On 15 May 2009, while departing from “Ben Gurion”
International Airport, Tel Aviv, at the conclusion of his pilgrimage to
the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI expressed the following:
No more
bloodshed! No more fighting! No more terrorism! No more war! Instead let
us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting peace
based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing. Let
it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to
exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed
borders. Let it be likewise acknowledged that the Palestinian people
have a right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity
and to travel freely. Let the two-state solution become a reality, not
remain a dream.
4. In the wake of that appeal, the Holy See’s Secretary for
Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, speaking before
the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011, expressed the hope
that the competent Bodies of the United Nations would adopt a decision
which would help give concrete implementation to that goal.
5. Today’s vote manifests the sentiment of the majority of the
international community and recognises a more significant presence to
Palestinians within the United Nations. At the same time, it is the
conviction of the Holy See that this result does not constitute,
per se,
a sufficient solution to the existing problems in the Region: which, in
fact, can only find an adequate response through the effective
commitment to building peace and stability, in justice and in the
respect for legitimate aspirations, both of the Israelis and of the
Palestinians.
6. Therefore, the Holy See, at various times, has invited the
leaders of the two Peoples to restart the negotiations in good faith and
to avoid actions, or the placing of conditions, which would contradict
the declarations of goodwill and the sincere search for solutions which
could become secure foundations for a lasting peace. Moreover, the Holy
See has made a pressing appeal to the International Community to
increase its commitment and to encourage its creativity, through the
adoption of suitable initiatives which may help to achieve a lasting
peace, that respects the rights of Israelis and of Palestinians. Peace
needs courageous decisions!
7. Considering the outcome of today’s vote of the General Assembly
of the United Nations, and to encourage the International Community, and
in particular the Parties directly concerned, towards concrete action
in view of the aforementioned objectives – the Holy See welcomes with
favour the decision of the General Assembly by which Palestine has
become a Non- member Observer State of the United Nations. It is a
propitious occasion to recall also the common position that the Holy See
and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation expressed in the
Basic Agreement
of 15 February 2000, intended to support the recognition of a
internationally guaranteed special statute for the City of Jerusalem,
and aimed, in particular, to safeguarding the freedom of religion and
of conscience, the identity and sacred character of Jerusalem as a Holy
City, respect for and freedom of access to its Holy Places.
