The Vatican Israel Accords - by Marshall Breger Hardcover

Book Synopsis

When The Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel was signed on December 30, 1993, it established diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Israel for the first time. Published during the tenth anniversary year of this historic document, The Vatican-Israel Accords brings together essays that analyze the legal, historical, theological, and political meaning of the Accords.

The compelling essays in this collection explore not only the document and events surrounding its signing, but also the past, present, and future of Catholic-Jewish relations. Contributors, who include scholars from Israel, Italy, France, Spain, and the United States, contend that the history and structure of the Accords offer lessons that may be instructive for others involved in seeking peaceful resolutions to conflict, particularly those who work for peace between Palestine and Israel. This book is for anyone interested in law, political science, ecumenism, diplomacy, or peace studies.

Review Quotes

". . . a serious study of a difficult and sensitive topic. The book should be assigned as a textbook for comparative religion and Jewish studies curriculum." --Journal of Church and State

". . . an interesting and useful compendium of analyses dealing with the historical, sociological, religious, and legal dimensions of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel." --Journal of Palestine Studies

". . . essays are informed and cogent. This volume is a must read for all seriously interested in Middle East politics, Jewish-Christian relations, and international law. Highly recommended." --Choice

". . . highly recommend it. . . ." --Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter

"...this collection offers a rare, intriguing glance behind the scenes into the visionary policy and hardball negotiations of Vatican diplomacy. The Vatican-Israel Accords: Political, Legal, and Theological Contexts is the proverbial stone that creates pervading rings in the ocean of life and politics." --Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly

"...this volume, should be of enormous value to specialists in international relations, church-state affairs, or Christian-Jewish dialogue." --Catholic Library World

"Scholars of Jewish-Christian relations will use The Vatican-Israel Accords: Political, Legal, and Theological Contexts as a useful and detailed reference about an important event in the history of a complex and fascinating political and religious relationship." --Perspectives on Political Science

"This excellent collection of essays will be a must read for anyone interested in the Middle East, international politics and law, or Catholic-Jewish relations. It examines the historic 1993 accord between the Holy See and the State of Israel from a variety of scholarly points of view. The authors include participants in the negotiations that led to the agreement, making it the definitive interpreter of the accord and its historical and religious implications." --The Catholic Historical Review

"This volume could easily be the basis of a course or the focus of a study group. Each essay stimulates the mind, regardless of reader or author perspective. Contains bibliographic notes and index. Highly recommended as an important resource on the Middle East." --Church & Synagogue Libraries, Vol.XXXVII

About the Author

Marshall J. Breger is professor of law at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.

Contributors: Marshall J. Breger, Laurenzo Cremonesi, Msgr. Richard Mathes, David-Maria A. Jaeger, O.F.M., Leonard Hammer, Silvio Ferrari, Rafael Palomino, Msgr. Roland Minnerath, Rabbi David Rosen, Moshe Hirsch, Geoffrey Watson, Giorgio Filibeck, Ruth Lapidoth, Fr. Drew Christiansen, S.J., and Rabbi Jack Bemporad.