Vatican Recognizes 'State Of Palestine' In New Treaty

[Capt. Obvious]

Source: Associated Press

The Vatican has officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty.

The treaty, which was finalized Wednesday but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine.

The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the U.N. General Assembly in 2012 to recognize a Palestinian state. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and constitutes an official recognition.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to see Pope Francis on Saturday before the canonization of two new saints from the Holy Land a day later.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/world-news/vatican-recognizes-palestine-treaty

[blm]

1. One GIANT step for humankind…..

.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Israel will collapse to the floor screaming like a toddler...

The Vatican supports terrorism! The Pope seeks the destruction of Israel!

[Botany]

6. You forgot that the Pope is anti-Semitic

[wolfie001]

3. Uh oh........

.........

[Aristus]

4. Man, conservative American Catholics are gonna SHIT!

This is wonderful!

[duhneece]

7. Kinda like when the Pope spoke against trickle down economics

Our newer, conservative Catholic church members expressed dismay at that one, too.

[libdem4life]

5. Finally. It's time for all kinds of amazing events. Wonder where Bernie stands on this?

[karynnj]

19. Being for a two state solution is pretty much the norm in both Congress and among US Jews

This IS the dominant US position -- in spite of the US not wanting a UN resolution stating just that. Many US administrations have worked hard to get a 2 state solution.

[libdem4life]

21. "not wanting a UN resolution stating just that"..that's called "having your cake and eating it,too."

The time is coming...soon...when that fence-straddling isn't going to work, IMO. I mean Netanyahu just visited personally with our nation from the Congress, regardless of the underhandness (?) of Boehner. I think it's safe to say no Palestinian Official would be allowed entrance to the hallowed halls, under a similar cover of hutzpah.

[Cryptoad]

8. Rumor control has it,,,

Pope Francis is a Commie! Thank Goodness!

[mountain grammy]

9. shhhhhh nobody tell Bibi.

[safeinOhio]

10. Spent today at the Vatican

Heard Papa Fransico speak. He is so loved here it's hard for us to fathom.

[underpants]

11. House GOP calls for vote to have Netanyahu deliver Vatican Sunday mass

[Volaris]

13. yeah,, but the Pope (being actually self-governing) can not care how they vote...

The rest of, well, we aren't so lucky...

[treestar]

26. lol

[Volaris]

12. This will leave ripples in the Holy Water of American politics. And that's a good thing.

between Bernie, Hillary, Obama not giving any more Fucks, and things like this, the Rick Santorums and Ted Cruzs of the world are about to have a VERY bad 18 months.
Bout damn time.

[MisterP]

23. or just swing the pendulum back to Papist-bashing!

aiee!

(but even Michael Novak wagged his finger at JPII for complaining about capitalism's self-consuming nature, so it might not affect the US Catholic far right)

[JDPriestly]

14. Is the Pope going to tell us what the boundaries of Palestine are?

The Palestinians can no longer claim that they have no state. They now form a government that focuses on providing for the Palestinian people and not waging war on its neighbor, Israel. I believe that the Vatican also recognizes Israel. Does it not? Let's have two states, neighbors who work together so that their people can live in peace without fear.

[Comrade Grumpy]

17. You really think this changes the reality of Israeli occupation and land theft?

[JDPriestly]

18. I'm hoping it will place the focus on Palestine's getting a government that Israelis can trust

enough to give the land back. The borders are still an issue to be negotiated. Palestinians have never accepted Israel's right to exist within any borders. That needs to be negotiated and accepted by the Palestinians. Until Palestinians accept the concept of the existence of Israel within safe borders and vice versa, all talk of giving back territory is meaningless.

In conclusion, both sides have to compromise and give up claims if there is to be peace for future generations and for themselves. No one in that situation is blameless. But Israelis would be foolish to give up their claims to territory without a peace agreement.

[safeinOhio]

20. Do you think

The settlers(Middle East tea baggers) will ever give up anything for peace?

[JDPriestly]

22. Yes. They have tried and have even done it before.

At one point, they pulled out of some territories, tore them down. The Palestinians were as mean as ever. Both sides are to blame, but a lot here on DU give the Palestinians a free pass.

If we treated our immigrants the way the Palestinians treat the Israelis, the same DUers who think the Palestinians are saints would cry bloody murder. Both sides need to work toward peace. Peace and war are never the responsibility of just one side. War is the result of grievances, and when there is war, usually, nearly always there are grievances on both sides of the issues.

[swilton]

24. When did the Israelis try and do it before?

[JDPriestly]

25. Announced August 2005 for one tim.

6 Aug 2005

In the coordination meetings that took place between Israel and the Palestinians prior to the Disengagement, the future of the homes in the settlements was extensively discussed. Israel expressed its willingness to leave the homes intact, should the Palestinians so desire. However, the Palestinians themselves preferred that the homes, mostly spacious single family rural dwellings, be demolished, in order to allow for the construction of multi-family apartment buildings, which would be more appropriate for the local population. In addition, the Palestinian leadership felt that the new construction would provide an important source of employment for the area following the Disengagement.

Consequently, Israel has taken upon itself to demolish the structures, and dispose of any hazardous material within Israel in accordance with procedures established by the Ministry of Environment. The remaining used building material will be either recycled in the new construction of apartment buildings or hauled away by Palestinian contractors at Israel's expense.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/guide/pages/the%20demolition%20of%20gaza%20settlement%20homes%2016-aug-2005.aspx

[libodem]

15. I like this Pope

Good on him.

[closeupready]

27. I don't, but I do like this act of recognition.

Long overdue, IMO.

[Xolodno]

16. Bibi has decided to retaliate by...

...building a settlement on the site of the crucifixion.

Obviously not true....but with the new right wing government there, can't put it past them.