PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

PLO Executive Committee

Department of Culture and Information

January 3, 2016

Dr. Ashrawi on the agreement between the Vatican and Palestine coming into force

PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:

“On behalf of the Palestinian leadership and the people of Palestine, we welcome the agreement signed between the Vatican and Palestine on June 26, 2015 which came into force on Saturday.  This momentous occasion confirms the historical identity of Palestine and its culture of tolerance and inclusion. The Palestinian people have been entrusted with a major component of human cultural heritage and a scared history of the three monotheistic religions.”

Dr. Ashrawi added, “This agreement should apply to all Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem which is under Israeli military occupation.  It should also serve as a basis and precedent for further political recognitions, as well as a message to the conscience of humanity at large.”