The recognition of a Palestinian state by the Vatican is "unconscionable," Allen West, president of the National Center for Public Analysis, tells
Newsmax TV.
"This is horrific, at a time when Islamic terrorists are slaughtering Christians and Catholics all over the Middle East," West, a former Florida Republican congressman, said Wednesday on "The Steve Malzberg Show."
"For the pontiff to recognize a terrorist organization — which is really either Hamas or Fatah, they're both terrorist organizations — is unconscionable."
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On Wednesday, the Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty that includes all Catholic activities in the West Bank and Gaza.
It means the Vatican has officially switched its diplomatic recognition from the Palestine Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine.
That [Pope Francis] is doing that . . . just goes to show the level of propaganda success that the Palestinians have," West said.
"[It shows] the level of disdain and anti-Semitism that is out there. It is even coming from the Vatican now."
The Israeli foreign ministry said it was "disappointed" by the Vatican's move.