AMMAN : Jordan on Sunday condemned the recent Israeli measures against Jerusalem’s churches and their properties, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani expressed the Kingdom’s rejection of the “systematic” measures by the Israeli authorities to alter the historical and legal status quo that exists in the holy city including the confiscation of properties and bank accounts of the city’s churches by the so-called “Jerusalem Municipality” under the pretext of not paying dues. Momani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said that such measures target the historical existence of Christians, who are a key component of Jerusalemites.
The minister underscored the Kingdom’s solidarity with the churches, which announced the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in protest against the Israeli measures.
The official demanded the Israeli government to reverse the decisions and respect its commitment to international laws, which label Israel as the occupying force in East Jerusalem. Momani stressed that Jordan, in its capacity as custodian of the Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem, will continue efforts aimed at enhancing the steadfastness of the Palestinians and protecting the holy places. He pointed out the Israeli draft laws that are being discussed currently and aim to confiscate lands of churches in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Christian leaders took the rare step on Sunday of closing occupied Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built where tradition holds Jesus was buried, in protest of Israeli tax measures and a proposed property law, Agence France Presss reported. It was not clear how long the closure of the church, announced by Christian officials at a news conference and which began at around noon, would last. Church officials only said that it would be until further notice. The church is considered the holiest site in Christianity, built where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, and is a major pilgrimage site.
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