Archives for 02 March 2018

2 March 2018 – Status of Churches in Occupied East Jerusalem

Excellency,

I write to draw your attention to the ongoing critical situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and, more specifically, to the continued repressive practices by Israel, the occupying Power, against Palestinian worshippers and holy sites in Occupied East Jerusalem, including one of the holiest churches in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Recent developments highlight once again the urgency of efforts by the international community, particularly the Security Council, to collectively act to stem the dangerous deterioration to avert further instability; to ensure respect for the relevant United Nations resolutions, including with regard to the status of Occupied East Jerusalem as occupied territory, the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the prohibition of all acts aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the City; and to ensure respect for the historic status quo at the holy sites.

In light of ongoing attempts by the occupying Power to change the status of the City and in contravention of the historic status quo, on Sunday, 25 February 2018, leaders from the Roman Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches were compelled to announce the closing of the doors of their churches, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in united protest against Israel’s discriminatory policies, which undoubtedly aim at weakening the Christian presence in Jerusalem. [Read more…]