Holy See declines to co-sponsor Palestinian flag initiative at UN

“The Holy See asks the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations kindly to remove in its draft resolution any reference to the “Holy See” and any generic reference “on behalf of the Observer States”, the noted added. It would allow non-member observer states – there are only two – to display their flags with the 193 member states.

On November 29, 2012, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine’s status to non-member observer state.

The Vatican asked it be removed from a Palestinian draft resolution that calls for “Palestine” flags to be flown at the United Nations building in New York City.

The raising of the Palestinian flag is a move likely to irk Israel and the US, who oppose recognizing the Palestinian state on the grounds it undermines efforts to negotiate a peace agreement.

The Vatican, however, has reportedly told the Palestinian UN mission that while it had nothing against the Palestinians’ proposing to hoist their own flag, it wanted that all references to the Church be removed from the draft resolution.

The Palestinian Authority considers the Vatican one of 136 countries to have recognized Palestine as a state, although the number is disputed and several recognitions by what are now European Union member states date back to the Soviet era. They’re betting that the United States or other allies of Israel will not block the plan and risk offending the Holy See on Francis’ first U.S. visit.

“In its annual directory the Palestinian representative is referred to as the representative of the State of Palestine”.

The flag-flying resolution, which diplomats said the Palestinians were expected to circulate to the full assembly as early as on Wednesday, had apparently been prepared without the explicit consent of the Vatican’s mission to the United Nations.

The pope is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25 during his official visit. During his visit, the assembly will take major decisions about sustainable development, climate change and the future peace and well-being of humankind, the announcement said.