JERUSALEM, February 26, 2025 (WAFA) – The European Union (EU) reiterated Wednesday the special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City and the inviolability of its sacred spaces must be preserved, affirming that any unilateral attempt to change the Status Quo would have deeply destabilizing effects and must be avoided.

In a statement, the EU Representative, in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah, recalled the significance of the Holy Sites, calling for upholding the Status Quo, in line with previous understandings.

In this framework, they stressed that worshipers need to be able to access their holy sites freely.

The EU Heads of Mission visited the Al Aqsa compound and met with the Jerusalem Waqf as part of regular exchanges dedicated to the religious and cultural diversity of Jerusalem and its Old City, with the Waqf sharing concerns over the restrictions to access the Al Aqsa Compound during the holy month of Ramadan.

The EU and its Member States have also engaged with the heads of Churches on challenges affecting their position and the Christian communities.

The Churches highlighted, inter alia, the financial pressure they continue facing from local Israeli authorities through the imposition of retroactive municipal taxation on their properties, irrespective of their use, in contrast to a long-standing practice and past agreements of not taxing church properties.

They stressed how this would limit their ability to function and continue their charity and educational work. The initiation of foreclosure procedures against properties of the Armenian Patriarchate is of increasing concern.

A.D./ K.F.