In a May letter, B’nai B’rith leaders acknowledged important elements of the initial Lineamenta discussion paper, including “recognition of resurgent extremism,” and mistreatment of Christian and other minorities in the Middle East at large. At the same time, B’nai B’rith noted disproportionate association of Palestinian-Israeli disputes—and Israeli policies particularly—with broader regional difficulties.

Regarding the subsequent Instrumentum Laboris document, B’nai B’rith urged that the complexities of the Middle East be treated “accurately, fairly, and responsibly,” and in keeping with the delicacy of peace talks as well as various Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church has, over the course of 45 years, not only established its relationship with Jews as sacrosanct, but also formally recognized Israel and criticized anti-Zionism.

However, in a September correspondence, B’nai B’rith observed that the latest preparatory document summarizes the Catholic Church’s position on the Arab-Israeli conflict by referencing support expressed by Pope Benedict XVI for Palestinian objectives, while neglecting to also cite the pontiff’s critical affirmation to Israel’s ambassador that “the Holy See joins you in giving thanks to the Lord that the aspirations of the Jewish people for a home in the land of their fathers have been fulfilled.”

Indeed, in his address Oct. 11, Patriarch Antonios Naguib of the Catholic Coptic Church of Alexandria, who serves as secretary of the Synod, said: “we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people.” He also asserted that “the [Christian] emigration in our countries has increased primarily as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” among other causes, but did not note that, in contrast with other countries, Israel’s Christian population has consistently grown in actual numbers. Perhaps most cause for concern, the former Latin Patriarch of the Holy Land, Michel Sabbah, is scheduled to make a presentation of “Kairos Palestine,” a Palestinian Christian treatise that delegitimizes Jewish statehood, sanitizes Palestinian terrorism, urges blanket economic campaigns against Israel, and labels the presence of Jews in disputed lands as “evil” and a “sin against God.”

With a significant presence in Jerusalem since 1888, and a lasting commitment to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations, B’nai B’rith appreciates church leaders’ receptiveness to the perspectives of Jewish partners. B’nai B’rith recognizes Christians’ right and aspiration to a vital communal life in the Middle East, and hopes that the current special assembly will help Christians serve as a true force for reconciliation and peace.