My letter in The New York Times about the Vatican and a Palestinian state

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote about the Vatican’s decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, which appeared in the May 19, 2015 edition of The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/opinion/the-vatican-recognizes-palestine.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0

To the Editor:

The determination by the Vatican to confer a degree of international legitimacy on the Palestinian Authority by recognizing a Palestinian state, while it has no tangible effect, is troubling nonetheless.

Pope Francis has made tremendous strides during his papal tenure in enhancing the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jews, which makes the Vatican’s pronouncement about embracing a Palestinian state extraordinarily perplexing.

The enigmatic decision of the pope, who is a true champion of human rights throughout the world, to overlook the failings of the Palestinian Authority, which include condoning terrorism by giving stipends and grants to terrorists in or released from Israeli jails, is antithetical to the causes and ideals that he has consistently advocated.

Before endorsing a Palestinian state, Pope Francis should have encouraged the Palestinians to eschew their ties to terrorism and demonstrate that they are committed to achieving a peaceful resolution to their dispute with Israel.

N. AARON TROODLER

Teaneck, N.J.