The Chief Rabbi, Dr Emmanuel Jakobovitz said on Wednesday that while the peace treaty may have ended 30 years of deep rooted suspicion between Israel and Egypt it had taken nearly 2,000 years to bring together Jews and, Christians. He was speaking at a lunch at Archbishop's House organised by the Council of Christians and Jews. He described the Council as an outstanding example of what can be achieved in reconciliation. "Its importance cannot be overrated," he said.
In his speech he linked the new peace treaty with the work of reconciliation carried out by the council.
The Kosher lunch, the third to take place as part of the current appeal for the Council was hosted by Cardinal Hume. The Cardinal said that the work of the Council was important in overcoming prejudice.
The Council's new target for its educational work is 095,000.
There has been no official welcome from the Vatican so far to the Peace treaty signed by Egypt and Israel ending 30 years of war between the two countries.
Although Pope John Paul mentioned the signing of the peace treaty in his Angelus message last Sunday the official Vatican position is that Jerusalem should be an international religious city and should not be exclusively controlled by Israel. This policy was put forward by Pope Paul and has not been changed though it has not been welcomed by the Israelis.