Tension between Israel and the Vatican was lessened recently because of Israel’s Indication of willingness to pay reparations _for m damage to religious property and to check looting of Church premises, the New York Times reported today. The report, emanating from Jerusalem, was based on a letter from Msgr. Thomas J. McMahon, national secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, to U.N. Secretary-General Trygve Lie. The letter reads:
“On Aug. 20, 1948, we asked you to make an inquiry regarding criminal acts against Christian persons and places during the progress of the Palestine warfare. The undersigned is happy to report that he personally, after an extended journey in that area, can testify to a genuine desire of the Government of Israel to repair damage done and to maintain proper relations with the religious institutes within its boundaries.”
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