The menorah and the cross

The menorah and the cross

... Excerpt

Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See reflects on the 20th anniversary of relations between Israel and the Vatican

By Zion Evrony December 30, 2013, 11:44 am

Today, twenty years ago, on a cold winter day in Jerusalem, Israel and the Holy See signed the Fundamental Agreement, establishing full diplomatic relations and exchange of ambassadors. The agreement was an historic milestone not only in relations between Israel and the Holy See, but also between the Catholic Church and the Jewish People. Forty-six years after the establishment of the State of Israel, an Israeli embassy to the Holy See and an embassy of the Holy See in Israel were opened. I am now the sixth Ambassador of Israel to the Holy See.

 

 

When I go to meetings and events in the Vatican, pass the Swiss guards, and walk the beautiful marble floors, I sometimes think about the long path we have traveled, Christians and Jews in the last 2,000 years — from rejection and denial, just over 100 years ago, to recognition, dialogue, and friendship of today. This shift has taken place as a result of the confluence and interplay of theological and political changes. I presented my credentials to Pope Benedict XVI and I have already met Pope Francis briefly several times. The meetings were warm and unforgettable and I thanked both of them for their friendship to the Jewish People. Pope Francis greeted me in Hebrew with “Shalom,” and I invited him to visit Israel. Pope Francis’ message of modesty, caring for the poor, peace and interreligious dialogue has a universal appeal.

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