Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VATICAN115
2006-06-20 10:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
VATICAN: HOLY LAND CUSTODIAN FOCUSED ON SURVIVAL
how-toVZCZCXRO4543 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHSR DE RUEHROV #0115/01 1711008 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201008Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0373 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0031 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0028 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0401
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000115
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; DRL/IRF KELLY AND MATES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/20/2016
TAGS: IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT XF
SUBJECT: VATICAN: HOLY LAND CUSTODIAN FOCUSED ON SURVIVAL
REF: a) Martin - Larrea 4/06 email, et al.; b) Vatican 104, 05 Vatican 546 et al.; c) Vatican 63, Vatican 77, Vatican 104
VATICAN 00000115 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000115
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; DRL/IRF KELLY AND MATES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/20/2016
TAGS: IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT XF
SUBJECT: VATICAN: HOLY LAND CUSTODIAN FOCUSED ON SURVIVAL
REF: a) Martin - Larrea 4/06 email, et al.; b) Vatican 104, 05 Vatican 546 et al.; c) Vatican 63, Vatican 77, Vatican 104
VATICAN 00000115 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Roman Catholic Custodian
of the Holy Land, told the Ambassador during a recent visit to
Rome that his continuing contact with Hamas was simply "a
question of survival." Pizzaballa talks to various authorities
about technical issues related to the maintenance of the
Christian holy sites in Israel and Palestine. According to
Pizzaballa and other contacts, such contact is unavoidable and
not diplomatic or political in nature. Contacts have told us
that Pizzaballa is "the last person to be an apologist for
Hamas." He suggested to the Ambassador that it might be
possible to funnel aid to the Palestinian people through local
civil and religious authorities with less danger of aiding the
overall structure of the organization. Pizzaballa appeared in
Vatican-based media again June 14 speaking about current
violence in the region. In light of this media exposure and his
importance on the ground, we found him an extremely useful
contact. He told the Ambassador he would be open to contact
with ConGen Jerusalem. End Summary
--------------
Contact with Hamas
--------------
2. (SBU) Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Roman Catholic Custodian
of the Holy Land (caretaker of Christian holy sites),caused a
stir in the media in April when he told a reporter from Milan's
Corriere della Sera that he had been talking to Hamas. He
hinted that more dialogue was in the offing. Speculation ensued
that this could be the first step toward official dialogue
between the Holy See and Hamas, something that might give the
organization greater international credibility.
--------------
Complicated Context
--------------
3. (SBU) In fact, as Post relayed to the Department at the
time (ref a),any dialogue taking place between Pizzaballa and
Hamas has to be taken in context. The Custodian of the Holy
Land is the Minister Provincial (i.e. the major superior) of all
the priests of the Franciscan order living in the Middle East.
He is appointed by the pope, but maintains some degree of
autonomy, connected in part to his membership in the Franciscan
order. His main task is to coordinate and direct the reception
of pilgrims who come to the Holy Land. All the Catholic
Christian sanctuaries in the area are under his jurisdiction. He
oversees their financial status and works with local authorities
to care for and maintain the sites, including related schools
and parishes. The Franciscans have to deal with the civil
authorities - whoever they may be - on technical issues related
to the maintenance of these sites.
--------------
Jaeger: Contact is Necessary
--------------
4. (C) Fr. David Jaeger, the Israeli-born convert to
Catholicism who is a Holy See negotiator on legal issues with
Israel, has emphasized to us that Fr. Pizzaballa's contacts with
Hamas are purely technical (ref a). "He has to talk to them
because the Franciscans are totally under their control. Not
talking to them would be like hostages refusing to speak to
VATICAN 00000115 002.2 OF 003
their kidnappers," he said. According to Jaeger, Palestinian
police often come into the churches. They sometimes study for
their exams in the churches and other buildings administered by
the order. Contact is inevitable and necessary. Jaeger likened
the situation to that of aid organizations that have to maintain
contact with the Palestinian authorities in order to fulfill
their mission.
5. (C) Jaeger emphasized that Pizzaballa had no intention of
political discussions with Hamas and was aware of the danger of
giving the group valuable fodder for public relations. He noted
that he knew the writer of the Corriere article and could see
Pizzaballa being manipulated into comments that could be
misconstrued. "He is the last person to be an apologist for
Hamas," Jaeger emphasized.
--------------
Close Relations with the Israelis
--------------
6. (C) Commenting on Pizzaballa's relations with Israel,
Jaeger called him perhaps the Israeli government's favorite
churchman "of all time." Jaeger said he speaks flawless Hebrew
- like a native. "I know no foreigner with a better
understanding of Israel," he said. "Pizzaballa appreciates and
sympathizes with the Israeli people. He isn't in the pocket of
the government; he's just an honest man doing his job," he
concluded.
--------------
A Question of Survival
--------------
7. (C) During a discussion with the Ambassador on a recent
visit to Rome, Pizzaballa confirmed much of what we had heard.
Ethically, he said, he would love to avoid talking to Hamas, but
it is "a question of survival." He said that non-Catholic
Christians in the Holy Land often share a strong aversion to
Hamas, but they, too, see no choice but to work with them on
technical issues. When undertaking any type of project
involving the Christian community, "you have to talk" to the
local authorities, according to Pizzaballa. Continuing on this
theme, Pizzaballa suggested that it might be possible to funnel
aid to the Palestinian people through local civil and religious
authorities with less danger of aiding the overall structure of
Hamas.
--------------
Security Tactics
--------------
8. (C) On Israeli security operations, Pizzaballa said he
"understood well" the danger of homicide bombers, but indicated
he thought the Israelis were "going beyond" what was just - or
effective - in some of their tactics. He said that at some
security checkpoints, for example, Israeli security forces would
search Christian and Muslim travelers extensively, causing great
delays and inconvenience. At the same time, however, their
baggage would not be screened - an apparent loophole in the
procedure.
--------------
Fundamental Agreement
--------------
VATICAN 00000115 003.2 OF 003
9. (C) Turning to the continuing saga of the Fundamental
Agreement between the Holy See and Israel (ref b),Pizzaballa
told the Ambassador in confidence that the Holy See should put
more pressure on Israel on outstanding issues connected to the
pact. He noted speculation that the pope might visit Israel
next year, but said he hoped the Vatican wouldn't agree to such
a trip without significant progress on Fundamental Agreement
issues (ref c). If the pope were to visit Israel, Pizzaballa
added that he would have to visit Bethlehem; that would amount
to a legitimization of Hamas for some.
--------------
In the News Again
--------------
10. (C) Pizzaballa appeared in Vatican-based media again June
14, warning that current violence in the region indicated that
"the risks of a civil war are concrete." The Franciscans
pleaded for dialogue between the various Palestinian factions of
Fatah and Hamas. Pizzaballa said that Christians faced no
greater risk than others in the current situation, but still
could not "remain silent." He noted that Judeh Mourqos, "the
only Christian in the government," had resigned.
--------------
Comment
--------------
11. (C) In light of Pizzaballa's exposure in the media, his
knowledge of the region, and his importance on the ground, we
found him an extremely useful contact. He told the Ambassador
he had not yet met with officials from ConGen Jerusalem, but
would be open to contact.
ROONEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA; DRL/IRF KELLY AND MATES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/20/2016
TAGS: IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT XF
SUBJECT: VATICAN: HOLY LAND CUSTODIAN FOCUSED ON SURVIVAL
REF: a) Martin - Larrea 4/06 email, et al.; b) Vatican 104, 05 Vatican 546 et al.; c) Vatican 63, Vatican 77, Vatican 104
VATICAN 00000115 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Roman Catholic Custodian
of the Holy Land, told the Ambassador during a recent visit to
Rome that his continuing contact with Hamas was simply "a
question of survival." Pizzaballa talks to various authorities
about technical issues related to the maintenance of the
Christian holy sites in Israel and Palestine. According to
Pizzaballa and other contacts, such contact is unavoidable and
not diplomatic or political in nature. Contacts have told us
that Pizzaballa is "the last person to be an apologist for
Hamas." He suggested to the Ambassador that it might be
possible to funnel aid to the Palestinian people through local
civil and religious authorities with less danger of aiding the
overall structure of the organization. Pizzaballa appeared in
Vatican-based media again June 14 speaking about current
violence in the region. In light of this media exposure and his
importance on the ground, we found him an extremely useful
contact. He told the Ambassador he would be open to contact
with ConGen Jerusalem. End Summary
--------------
Contact with Hamas
--------------
2. (SBU) Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Roman Catholic Custodian
of the Holy Land (caretaker of Christian holy sites),caused a
stir in the media in April when he told a reporter from Milan's
Corriere della Sera that he had been talking to Hamas. He
hinted that more dialogue was in the offing. Speculation ensued
that this could be the first step toward official dialogue
between the Holy See and Hamas, something that might give the
organization greater international credibility.
--------------
Complicated Context
--------------
3. (SBU) In fact, as Post relayed to the Department at the
time (ref a),any dialogue taking place between Pizzaballa and
Hamas has to be taken in context. The Custodian of the Holy
Land is the Minister Provincial (i.e. the major superior) of all
the priests of the Franciscan order living in the Middle East.
He is appointed by the pope, but maintains some degree of
autonomy, connected in part to his membership in the Franciscan
order. His main task is to coordinate and direct the reception
of pilgrims who come to the Holy Land. All the Catholic
Christian sanctuaries in the area are under his jurisdiction. He
oversees their financial status and works with local authorities
to care for and maintain the sites, including related schools
and parishes. The Franciscans have to deal with the civil
authorities - whoever they may be - on technical issues related
to the maintenance of these sites.
--------------
Jaeger: Contact is Necessary
--------------
4. (C) Fr. David Jaeger, the Israeli-born convert to
Catholicism who is a Holy See negotiator on legal issues with
Israel, has emphasized to us that Fr. Pizzaballa's contacts with
Hamas are purely technical (ref a). "He has to talk to them
because the Franciscans are totally under their control. Not
talking to them would be like hostages refusing to speak to
VATICAN 00000115 002.2 OF 003
their kidnappers," he said. According to Jaeger, Palestinian
police often come into the churches. They sometimes study for
their exams in the churches and other buildings administered by
the order. Contact is inevitable and necessary. Jaeger likened
the situation to that of aid organizations that have to maintain
contact with the Palestinian authorities in order to fulfill
their mission.
5. (C) Jaeger emphasized that Pizzaballa had no intention of
political discussions with Hamas and was aware of the danger of
giving the group valuable fodder for public relations. He noted
that he knew the writer of the Corriere article and could see
Pizzaballa being manipulated into comments that could be
misconstrued. "He is the last person to be an apologist for
Hamas," Jaeger emphasized.
--------------
Close Relations with the Israelis
--------------
6. (C) Commenting on Pizzaballa's relations with Israel,
Jaeger called him perhaps the Israeli government's favorite
churchman "of all time." Jaeger said he speaks flawless Hebrew
- like a native. "I know no foreigner with a better
understanding of Israel," he said. "Pizzaballa appreciates and
sympathizes with the Israeli people. He isn't in the pocket of
the government; he's just an honest man doing his job," he
concluded.
--------------
A Question of Survival
--------------
7. (C) During a discussion with the Ambassador on a recent
visit to Rome, Pizzaballa confirmed much of what we had heard.
Ethically, he said, he would love to avoid talking to Hamas, but
it is "a question of survival." He said that non-Catholic
Christians in the Holy Land often share a strong aversion to
Hamas, but they, too, see no choice but to work with them on
technical issues. When undertaking any type of project
involving the Christian community, "you have to talk" to the
local authorities, according to Pizzaballa. Continuing on this
theme, Pizzaballa suggested that it might be possible to funnel
aid to the Palestinian people through local civil and religious
authorities with less danger of aiding the overall structure of
Hamas.
--------------
Security Tactics
--------------
8. (C) On Israeli security operations, Pizzaballa said he
"understood well" the danger of homicide bombers, but indicated
he thought the Israelis were "going beyond" what was just - or
effective - in some of their tactics. He said that at some
security checkpoints, for example, Israeli security forces would
search Christian and Muslim travelers extensively, causing great
delays and inconvenience. At the same time, however, their
baggage would not be screened - an apparent loophole in the
procedure.
--------------
Fundamental Agreement
--------------
VATICAN 00000115 003.2 OF 003
9. (C) Turning to the continuing saga of the Fundamental
Agreement between the Holy See and Israel (ref b),Pizzaballa
told the Ambassador in confidence that the Holy See should put
more pressure on Israel on outstanding issues connected to the
pact. He noted speculation that the pope might visit Israel
next year, but said he hoped the Vatican wouldn't agree to such
a trip without significant progress on Fundamental Agreement
issues (ref c). If the pope were to visit Israel, Pizzaballa
added that he would have to visit Bethlehem; that would amount
to a legitimization of Hamas for some.
--------------
In the News Again
--------------
10. (C) Pizzaballa appeared in Vatican-based media again June
14, warning that current violence in the region indicated that
"the risks of a civil war are concrete." The Franciscans
pleaded for dialogue between the various Palestinian factions of
Fatah and Hamas. Pizzaballa said that Christians faced no
greater risk than others in the current situation, but still
could not "remain silent." He noted that Judeh Mourqos, "the
only Christian in the government," had resigned.
--------------
Comment
--------------
11. (C) In light of Pizzaballa's exposure in the media, his
knowledge of the region, and his importance on the ground, we
found him an extremely useful contact. He told the Ambassador
he had not yet met with officials from ConGen Jerusalem, but
would be open to contact.
ROONEY