"Because of the current international political situation", the Israeli delegation will not take part in the plenary meeting of the permanent work Bilateral Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel, scheduled tomorrow, 29 March 2007. The purpose of the meeting was to tackle a few questions linked with the negotiations on Art. 10 of Fundamental Agreement. A note by the Vatican Press Room pointed out that "the Holy See, though understanding the reasons, took note with regret of the circumstances, and is waiting to agree the new date of the Plenary convocation with the Israeli side, as soon as possible". According to what the Press Room pointed out, the Israeli delegation communicated the missed participation in the meeting on 26 March, three days before the fixed date. The last plenary of the Commission took place 5 years ago. The purpose of the permanent bilateral Commission is the subscription of an overall treaty on all the questions linked with taxation and properties of the Church. In particular, the Catholic Church asks for the confirmation of the tax exemptions acquired in 1948, when the State of Israel was born. For the Church, the restitution of confiscated ecclesiastical properties is not less important.
