Holy Land: Christian leaders demand just and comprehensive peace, not the deal of the century

Patriarchs and Heads of Jerusalem Churches demand “a just and comprehensive peace” that embraces the whole Middle East based on international law and UN resolutions, “accepted by all relevant parties,” including the Palestinians marginalised by the Trump plan.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – The Patriarchs and Heads of Jerusalem Churches believe that a “just and comprehensive peace” in the Holy Land requires more than the peace plan, the so-called ‘deal of the century’, made public on Tuesday at the White House at a ceremony with US President Donald Trump and Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The proposal has been rejected by Palestinian leaders and strongly criticised by the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, for whom it will cause "more blood and tensions".

The Patriarchs and Heads of Jerusalem Churches insist on the importance of an agreement that embraces the whole Middle East based on international law and UN resolutions, one that acknowledges the "legitimate national aspirations” of the Palestinian and is “accepted by all relevant parties”.

Here is the message of the leaders of the Churches of the Holy Land sent to AsiaNews:

After a thorough consideration of the United States of America’s Middle East peace plan, also known as, the "Deal of the Century", and after reviewing the reactions of all concerned parties on the matter, we, Patriarchs and Heads of the Holy Land churches, affirm our strong devotion to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on the international legitimacy and the relevant UN resolutions and in a manner that guarantees security, peace, freedom and dignity to all of the peoples of the region.

The American peace plan that was announced yesterday in the White House, in the presence of the Israelis and the absence of the Palestinians, invites us to request from the U.S. administration as well as the international community to build on the vision of two states and develop it in line with international legitimacy in addition to opening a political communication channel with the Palestine Liberation Organization, the internationally recognized sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, to ensure that its legitimate national aspirations are also satisfied within the framework of a comprehensive and durable peace plan to be accepted by all relevant parties.

And on Jerusalem we refer again to our statement addressed to President Donald Trump on Dec 6, 2017 and recall our vision for the Holy City to be open and shared by the two peoples, Palestinians and Israelis, and for the three monotheistic religions and our confirmation to uphold the Hashemite custodianship over the Holy sites. The resurrection of our Lord from Jerusalem reminds us all of the sacrifices to ensure justice and peace in the Holy Land.

We also call upon all Palestinian political parties, factions, and leaders to meet to discuss all disputes, end the state of internal conflict, terminate division, and adopt a unified stand towards concluding the state building based on plurality and democratic values.”

Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (January 30, 2020).

Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator, Latin Patriarchate

Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land

Archbishop Anba Antonious, Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem

Archbishop Gabriel Daho, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate

Archbishop Aba Embakob, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate

Archbishop Yaser Ayyash, Greek-Melkite-Catholic Patriarchate

Archbishop Mosa El-Hage, Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate

Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East

Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land