Pope Francis this week made a historic visit to the Great Synagogue of Rome in an effort to show Vatican support for the Jewish People. Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Ono Rabbi Dr. Arussi Shlita headed a delegation that greeted the pope.
Embarrassing the pope somewhat, as he remained silent rather than respond, Rav Arussi called on the pope to recognize Israel as belonging to the Jewish People but clearly, this did not occur.
In an interview with Arutz-7 News, Rabbi Arussi explained that while the Church over recent years has made an effort in the correct direction, it has a way to go to correct many wrongs.
Rabbi Arussi is quoted in the interview explaining that during a meeting with the rabbonim and the pope following the public event, he expressed his appreciation to the pope for denouncing anti-Semitism and added that today, there is a “new and very fierce anti-Semitism built on the basis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”. Rav Arussi referred to the pope as the “Balfour of the Catholic Church” and asked him to take the step to announced the church’s recognition of Israel as belonging to the Jewish People but the pontiff fell short of making such a declaration, preferring to smile and remain silent.
In the interview with Arutz-&, Rabbi Arussi explained that despite the painful history, today it is important to maintain a dialogue with the Church. He added the current pope is also opposed to converting Jews and this too is significant.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
The Balfour Declaration never said that Eretz Yisroel belonged to the Jewish People, just that they could establish “a national home for the Jewish people” (it was carefully worded not to mention any kind of state), subject to the important provision that “nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”. Herzl’s Zionist utopia included full political rights for all non-Jews.