Monsignor Giacinto Marcuzzo, Bishop of Nazareth and vicar of the Latin Patriarchate, has defended Abu Mazen’s request to the UN, for Palestine to be recognised, a request which “according to us is valid and justified.”
At the UN “we feel let down by the United States. President Barack Obama, who had shown courage, clear thinking and pragmatism, has shown himself, this time, to be much less neutral and more biased. This was a very, very bitter surprise, because for those who were searching for peace, the White House’s tenant had become the only reference point, their only hope for the future.
“I do not see,” the prelate said, “how the search for justice and the move towards a solution to the problems that exist constitutes a challenge to Middle Eastern stability… there have been thousands and thousands of different level meetings, just about everywhere.
“What else, Monsignor Marcuzzo commented, could possibly be done? Nothing else remained but to turn to the internationally recognised legal organisation, to gain their rights, justice and peace. This is why, according to us, this request is valid and justified.”
Palestinian officials want international recognition based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as a capital. The idea is strongly opposed by Israel and the United States. In fact, the U.S. is likely to veto any Palestinian resolution at the U.N. Security Council, the first stage of the process.
A spokesman for the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel confirmed to CNA that the Vatican backs a “two-state solution” with a sovereign Palestine peacefully co-existing alongside Israel.
Some observers are suggesting that Palestinian leaders should compromise by trying for “non-member status” at the United Nations. Ironically, this is being referred to as the “Vatican option” since it would give Palestine the same level of diplomatic representation as the Holy See. The Israeli government claims that a unilateral move by the United Nations to recognize Palestine would de-facto “delegitimize” the state of Israel.
The 15-member Security Council sent the bid made by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas last Friday to a special membershp committee to give its verdict.
Sources: Vatican Insider, EWTN, AFP
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