Palestinians burns a U.S. flag during clashes with Israeli troops near the West Bank city of Ramallah. Following days of violence and backlash after US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Vatican appealed for “wisdom and prudence” to prevail.
The announcement sparked anti-US protests throughout Asia and the Middle East, including a four-day protest in the Palestinian territories, Reuters reported. An Israeli security guard in Jerusalem was in critical condition after he was stabbed by a Palestinian man at the city’s bus station.
Palestinian protestors also clashed with police outside the US embassy in Beirut in a series of violent demonstrations.
Soon after the US’s decision Christian leaders in Jerusalem said it could have dire regional consequences.
“We have been following, with concern, the reports about the possibility of changing how the United States understands and deals with the status of Jerusalem. We are certain that such steps will yield increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, moving us farther from the goal of unity and deeper toward destructive division,” the Christian leaders said, just hours before Trump announced the US was recognising Jerusalem as the capital and relocating the embassy.
Appeal
They appealed to Trump to take their viewpoint into consideration, as did the leaders who met at Camp David in July 2000 to decide the status of Jerusalem. The Christian leaders said their “solemn advice and plea” for the president was to continue recognising the international status of Jerusalem.
“We ask you, Mr President, to help us all walk toward more love and a definitive peace, which cannot be reached without Jerusalem being for all,” they said.
“Any sudden changes would cause irreparable harm. We are confident that, with strong support from our friends, Israelis and Palestinians can work toward negotiating a sustainable and just peace, benefiting all who long for the Holy City of Jerusalem to fulfil its destiny.”
The Christian leaders include Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs as well as the Franciscan custos of the Holy Land.
The Vatican has consistently called for a special status for Jerusalem, particularly its Old City, in order to protect and guarantee access to the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
“The Holy See is attentive to these concerns and, recalling the heartfelt words of Pope Francis, reiterates its well-known position concerning the singular character of the Holy City and the essential need for respecting the status quo, in conformity with the deliberations of the international community and the repeated requests of the hierarchies of the churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land,” said a Vatican statement.