HOLY SEE: ISRAELI VIEWS ON HAMAS, ISLAM, FUNDAMENTAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/7/2016 TAGS: PREL VT SUBJECT: HOLY SEE: ISRAELI VIEWS ON HAMAS, ISLAM, FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT REF: SANDROLINI-LARREA EMAILS CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, Deputy Chief of Mission, EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. During a May 30 meeting with Ambassador, Israeli Ambassador commented on Islam, Hamas, Israel-Holy See relations, and the Holy See's Custodian of the Holy Lands. End Summary. ¶2. (C) During a May 30 meeting with Ambassador Rooney, Israeli ambassador to the Holy See Oded Ben-Hur shared his views on several topics. ¶3. (C) Islam: Ben-Hur expressed great concern over the doctrine of immutability and the literal interpretation of the word of God as expressed through the prophet Mohammed in the Koran, and noted that Pope Benedict XVI's thinking along these lines as well. This rigidity is problematic for Christians trying to build bridges of understanding and create a sense of moderation and tolerance with Muslims. The call of Mohammed to evangelize or conquer infidels only adds to this problem. ¶4. (C) Hamas: according to Ben-Hur, Hamas will become more moderate and reasonable. He predicted they would agree to the challenge of President Abbas to recognize Israel, and was optimistic about confidential talks going on now with Hamas. ¶5. (C) Holy See: Ben-Hur said the recent meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Holy See's FM-equivalent, was very successful. He thinks Livni will break the logjam in the Israeli bureaucracy impeding resolution of issues blocking the Holy See-Israel Fundamental Agreement. Ben-Hur suggested that at an appropriate time, Israel might seek a commitment from the Holy See for increased pilgrimage to Jerusalem -- something that would bring significant economic benefit to Israel -- as a consideration. Ben-Hur predicted that the pope would visit Israel in 2007 and agreed with ambassador that this could hardly happen absent serious progress on the Fundamental Agreement. ¶6. (C) Pizzaballa: Ben-Hur also commented on Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a Franciscan who is the Holy See's Custodian of the Holy Lands and who drew some attention a few weeks ago after telling a journalist that in his position he could not do otherwise than to cooperate with Hamas insofar as it represented the duly elected authority in Palestinian areas. Ben-Hur reiterated comments we reported earlier (ref) to the effect that Israel liked and respected Pizzaballa and understood his position. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Ben-Hur is active and well-informed -- though occasionally too outspoken for the Holy See's liking -- and has been typically candid with us on these issues in the past. Progress on the Fundamental Agreement would be a source of great satisfaction to the Holy See. We have reported previously (refs) on Father Pizzaballa's bona fides. ROONEY