significant progress was made towards the conclusion of the Agreement

Joint Communique`
The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the
State of Israel met today 12 June 2012 at the Plenary level, in the
Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, to carry on negotiations pursuant to the
Fundamental Agreement Art. 10 paragraph 2.
The meeting was headed by Mgr Ettore BALESTRERO, Under-Secretary for
Relations with States, and by Mr Danny AYALON, M.K., Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs.

The negotiations took place in a thoughtful and constructive atmosphere. The
Commission took notice that significant progress was made towards the
conclusion of the Agreement.
The Commission further acknowledged the exemplary service of Their
Excellencies Abp Antonio FRANCO and Ambassador Mordechay LEWY on the
occasion of their retirement.

The Parties have agreed on future steps and to hold the next Plenary meeting
on 6th December 2012 at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Delegation of the Holy See
Mgr Ettore BALESTRERO, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Chairman
H.E. Mgr Antonio FRANCO, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel
H.E. Mgr Giacinto-Boulos MARCUZZO, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel
Mgr Maurizio MALVESTITI, Under-Secretary, Congregation for Oriental Churches
Mgr Alberto ORTEGA MARTIN, Official at the Secretariat of State
Mr Henry AMOROSO, Legal Adviser
Fr Ibrahim FALTAS, General Administrator, Custody of the Holy Land
Fr Elias DAW, President of the Tribunal Greek-Melkite Church in Israel
Fr Pietro FELET, SCJ, Secretary AOCTS
Mr Samir ABUNASSAR, Consultant
Fr Giovanni CAPUTA, SDB, Secretary

Delegation of the State of Israel
Mr Danny AYALON, M.K., Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman
Mr Mordechay LEWY, Ambassador of Israel to the Holy See
Mr Ehud KEINAN, Legal Adviser, MFA
Mr Shmuel BEN-SHMUEL, Head of World Jewish and Inter-religious Affairs
Bureau, MFA
Mr Oded BROOK, Head International Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance
Mr Bahij MANSOUR, Director, Department of Religious Affairs, MFA
Mr Moshe GOLAN, State Attorney's Office, Ministry of Justice
Mr Itai APTER, Advisor Ministry of Justice
Mr Chen Ivri APTER, Special Advisor Deputy Foreign Minister’s Bureau
Mr Gershon KEDAR, Policy Adviser Deputy Foreign Minister's Bureau
Ms Klarina SHPITZ, Chief of Staff, Deputy Foreign Minister's Bureau
Ms Karin DOSORETZ, Legal Division, MFA

Lital Shochat -
Spokesperson of DFM -
050-6203-072 / 054-7732-445
lital.shochat@mfa.gov.il