(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Feb.25 (Petra) -- Minister of State for Media Affairs and the government spokesperson Mohammad Al-Momani, on Sunday, condemned the recent Israeli actions against churches and their property in Jerusalem.
Al-Momani reiterated Jordan's absolute rejection of Israeli authorities' systematic measures to change the historical and legal status quo in East Jerusalem's holy sites, including Islamic and Christian property and endowments, and imposing further restrictions on Christian churches in Jerusalem, the most recent of which was the "Jerusalem Municipality's" seizure of church property and bank accounts on the pretext of not paying for financial dues related to building taxes.
The government spokesperson noted that these measures violate international and humanitarian laws and arrangements of the historical situation that has been existing for many years in this regard, as churches have always been exempted from paying such taxes to the city's civic authorities.
He pointed out that these steps clearly target the historical Christian presence in Jerusalem, which is an essential part of the Holy City's history and its historical, human, religious and civilizational heritage, and embodies the values of interfaith coexistence in its fullest form.
The minister underlined Jordan's full solidarity with Christian churches in Jerusalem, which announced today the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in protest against the recent Israeli decisions. He called on the Israeli government to immediately reverse the decisions taken against churches and respect its obligations under international law as an occupying power in East Jerusalem.
He warned of the seriousness of Israeli legislation that are currently being discussed, which intend to facilitate the confiscation of church lands in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in East Jerusalem.
Momani emphasized that Jordan, under the historic Hashemite custodianship on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will continue to take all possible steps, to strengthen the steadfastness of Palestinians, protect holy sites and preserve the historical status of Jerusalem and its holy sites as a key to peace and a symbol of tolerance and harmony.
AF
25/2/2018 - 07:18:50 PM
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