Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Holy See established in 1993 were preceded by almost a century of contacts and diplomatic activity.
Diplomatic relations between Holy See and Israel were established with the opening of the Vatican Embassy (Nunciature) in Israel, the opening of an Israeli embassy in Rome and the appointment of Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo (previously the Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine) as the first Apostolic Nuncio to Israel on 19 January 1994. Israel's first ambassador to the Holy See, Shmuel Hadas, presented his credentials in September of that year. This followed the adoption of the Fundamental Accord by the two States on 30 December 1993. Prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, the interests of the Catholic Church in Israel were looked after by the Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land.
The most important characteristics of Israel – Holy See relations are that they are practically maintained on two levels: the political and the theological, since the Pope is not only the head of a universal church but also that of a sovereign state. Vatican diplomacy, on the other hand, maintains that an Israeli ambassador is not a representative of the Jewish people, pointing out that he does not have such a mandate. Indeed, his letter of accreditation is issued by the State of Israel and not by an unrecognized global Jewish representational entity. He may accompany religious delegation to a papal audience, provided the Jewish religious leaders present are Israeli citizens. Any similar delegation composed of non-Israeli Jews would be accompanied by the respective national ambassador. For Israel, as with most states, the ability to assess diplomatic relations with a state that is lacking economic relations, cannot be quantifiable. Furthermore, since the Vatican is not a full member of any international organisation but only an observer and since official Vatican statements are phrased in extremely nuanced language, much public diplomacy amounts to interpreting papal. Thus, In order to understand this unique relationship, traditional parameters must be replaced with a framework that employs a totally different set of parameters:[4]
13 April 1986- for the first time a Pope crosses the threshold of a Synagogue. John Paul II and Rabbi Elio Toaff embrace in the main temple of Rome.
Dec. 30, 1993 – The Holy See establishes diplomatic relations with Israel in ceremonies held in Rome and Jerusalem. The Accord states in part, "The Holy See and the State of Israel are committed to appropriate cooperation in combating all forms of anti-Semitism and all kinds of racism and of religious intolerance, and in promoting mutual understanding among nations, tolerance among communities, and respect for human life and dignity. The Holy See takes this occasion to reiterate its condemnation of hatred, persecution, and all other manifestations of anti-Semitism directed against the Jewish people and individual Jews anywhere, at any time and by anyone."
March 21, 2000 – Pope John Paul II visits Israel for 5 days, including the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and Christian holy sites. He meets with the Israeli Prime Minister and Chief Rabbis. The visual highlight came when the pope inserted a note with a prayer into the Western Wall asking forgiveness of G-d on behalf of those who have caused Jews to suffer throughout the course of history. “We wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant”, the note concludes. It marks the culmination of John Paul’s two decades of effort to reconcile Catholics and Jews