New York, NY, September 6, 1996...For the first time, all the official documents marking the historic diplomatic agreement signed in 1993 by Israel and the Vatican have been put together in one publication. A Challenge Long Delayed: The Diplomatic Exchange Between the Holy See and the State of Israel, a compilation of the documents involved, as well as commentaries on the monumental agreement, has been published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Leading authorities describe the theological and political details of the agreement, offering insight into 2,000 years of a difficult relationship between the two faith communities, and exploring new possibilities for Christian-Jewish relations. Among those contributing essays are His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, and Ambassador Shmuel Hadas, First Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Holy See.

"The exchange between Rome and Jerusalem is more than a diplomatic document," said David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "It proclaims freedom of religion and a mutual commitment to fight racism, anti-Semitism and any form of intolerance. It is an agreement marked by time, the Holocaust, Vatican II, and the implications of a sacred Jewish land."

A Challenge Long Delayed points out the attachment of the Jewish people to the Holy Land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants; the will of the State of Israel to be a "light unto the nations" and contribute to the welfare of the region; the history of the negotiations between Israel and the Holy See, and the text of the agreement itself. The exchange of diplomatic letters between Pope John Paul II and Ambassador Shmuel Hadas, which appeared in the newspaper of the Vatican, L'Osservatore Romano, is included.

The 60-page publication was edited by Dr. Eugene J. Fisher, Associate Director, Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Rabbi Leon Klenicki, Director of ADL Interfaith Affairs and ADL Co-Liaison to the Vatican. Some of the essays were published originally in the Journal for Professional Approaches for Christian Educators.

A Challenge Long Delayed is available for $5.00 per copy, including shipping and handling. Make check payable to ADL, and send to Dept. MRC, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017. For further information, call (212) 490-2525, ext. 7951.

Editors' Note: A review copy of A Challenge Long Delayed is available from the ADL Media Relations Department.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.