The history of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel can be analysed on three levels: the relations between the Holy See as the center of the world's Catholicism and Israel as the center of the Jewish world; the relations between the Vatican as the center of Catholicism and Israel as a political entity; and the relations between the two states. Thus far, between the Jewish world — Israel included — and the Christian one, there has been a lack of mutual knowledge. This is mainly due to the gap created by hatred, antisemitism, persecutions, crusades, and inquisitions that have left suspicion and fear in the Jewish world. The signing of the Fundamental Agreement between Israel and the Holy See in 1993 established and laid the framework for cultural exchanges, education, the fight against antisemitism, freedom of religion, and pilgrimage. However, it was the vision and courage of Pope John Paul II which helped formalize the relations between Christians and Jews in 1994.