The Church calls on the UK government not to move its embassy to Jerusalem

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Episcopal Conference in England and Wales, conveyed to British Prime Minister Liz Truss his “deep concern” after learning he was considering moving the UK embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This was conveyed by Truss to his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid.

For the cardinal, there is no good reason to move the embassy, ​​so in a letter reported by his diocese, he asked Truss to reconsider this decision. Nichols wrote in a letter to Truss that the change “would severely damage any chance of lasting peace in the region, and the UK’s international reputation”.

According to UN resolutions, “Pope Francis and the leaders of the Churches of the Holy Land have long called for respect for the international status quo of Jerusalem.” “The city must be shared as a common heritage, and not become the exclusive preserve of any of the parties” involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

For this reason, Nichols also urges the first show Concentrate all efforts on the two-state solution, in which Jerusalem is guaranteed a special status.

Profession Recognition

Nichols’ words echo the rejection of the move by Christian leaders in the Holy Land. As mentioned Times of IsraelThe Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem criticized today, Monday, that a decision in this regard would convey the message that “the continuation of the military occupation and the unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem” in 1967 is “acceptable.”

Thus, the basic principle of not recognizing the Holy City as an Israeli or Palestinian capital will be “seriously undermined” until a lasting peace is achieved. It would also threaten political negotiations. “The the current situation Jerusalem is necessary to maintain the harmony of our holy city and the good relations between religious communities around the world.”

Like most countries, the United Kingdom has so far had its embassy in Tel Aviv. In 2017, then-US President Donald Trump sparked controversy by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordering the transfer of his embassy there, in May 2018. Then even Pope Francis criticized the decision.