Jerusalem church leaders voice concern over UK embassy move
JERUSALEM (AA) – Christian church leaders in Jerusalem have voiced concern over British plans to relocate the UK Embassy from Tel Aviv to the Israel-occupied international city.
In a statement, the Council of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem said that it noted “with grave concern the recent call” of new British Prime Minister Liz Truss to review the embassy’s location.
“This directive was in response to the request of the Conservative Friends of Israel, who seek to have the embassy moved from its present location in Tel Aviv to a new site in Jerusalem,” the church leaders said.
The council warned that the possible embassy relocation “would undermine the special status of Jerusalem and torpedo any political negotiations aimed at advancing the peacemaking.”
It called on the UK to redouble its “diplomatic efforts towards facilitating the restart of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”
The sacred, historic city of Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Palestinians want East Jerusalem, now occupied by Israel, to serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state. East Jerusalem houses Islam’s third holiest site — the Al Aqsa mosque — as well as the Dome of the Rock from where the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him is said to have ascended to the heavens.
According to international law, the international status of Jerusalem is to be preserved, and its occupation by Israel is illegal.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
