Taghribnews (TNA) - Palestinian churches concerned over likely relocation of UK embassy to al-Quds

Churches in al-Quds have expressed concern over possible relocation of British embassy to the holy city.

On Monday, the Council of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in al-Quds warned moving the British embassy "would severely undermine this key principle... and the political negotiations that it seeks to advance".

"The religious Status Quo in al-Quds is essential for preserving the harmony of our Holy City and good relations between religious communities around the globe."

Britain's review, they said, implied there was no need for the so-called peace talks and that the "military occupation of those territories and the unilateral annexation of east al-Quds are both acceptable."

Christians have lived in the territory "under many different empires and governments" for some 2,000 years, the leaders said.

Church leaders in Britain have made a similar warning.

The archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster recently expressed concern about the consequences of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby raised concerns about the decision, which was made by British Prime Minister Liz Truss during a meeting with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in September.

Britain has long kept its embassy in Tel Aviv as part of its longstanding policy.

By moving the British embassy to al-Quds, Truss would be following in the footsteps of Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, who moved the US embassy to al-Quds despite worldwide condemnation.

In 2018, all 13 Christian denominations gathered in occupied al-Quds to condemn Trump’s decision to move the American embassy there. They announced in a joint statement that the action will definitely ramp up hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in al-Quds and the occupied territories.

The Muslim Council of Britain also said in a letter to the British government that the decision is a sign of “legitimizing the occupation of East Occupied al-Quds by Israel.”

Israel lays claim to the entire al-Quds, but the international community views the city’s eastern sector as occupied territory while Palestinians consider it the capital of their future state.

Last month, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the Israeli regime has no rightful claim or sovereignty over the occupied al-Quds. The possible move by the UK would amount to “complicity in Israel’s illegal annexation of the city,” the ministry said.

The resistance movement Hamas also said the relocation of the British embassy would not give any legitimacy to the Israeli regime.