RAMALLAH, June 27, 2026 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas has sent important letters to Pope Leo XIV, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and several world leaders, warning them about the serious situation in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli violations, particularly measures taken by the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem against churches and Christian institutions in the city that contravene international law.
The letters were addressed to King Abdullah II of Jordan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Leo XIV, the prime ministers of Greece, Spain, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom, the President of Russia, and the United Nations Secretary-General.
In his messages, President Abbas warned against Israel's attempt to impose the municipal property tax known as "Arnona" on churches, describing the move as an unprecedented and flagrant violation of the historic and legal status quo governing the holy sites, as well as a direct attack on the Christian presence and religious institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.
He stressed that Jerusalem enjoys a special legal status under international law, supported by the international community since the 1947 UN Partition Plan, and reiterated that the international community recognizes East Jerusalem as an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.
President Abbas also referred to relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including 242, 252, 267, 338, 476, 478, and 2334, which affirm that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible and that all unilateral Israeli measures aimed at altering the character, legal status, demographic composition, or institutions of Jerusalem are null and void and without legal effect.
He emphasized that no measure taken by the occupying power can be interpreted as granting Israel sovereignty or legal jurisdiction over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites and endowments. He called on churches not to accept these unilateral measures or enter into any arrangements with the Israeli authorities concerning them, warning that doing so would jeopardize the city's legal status and existing bilateral agreements.
President Abbas reaffirmed that the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only path toward achieving a just and lasting peace, as well as security and stability in the region and the world.
In his letter to King Abdullah II, President Abbas expressed his deep appreciation for the Jordanian monarch's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and for Jordan's historic Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He also praised Jordan's support for the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
In his message to Pope Leo XIV, President Abbas expressed gratitude for the Pope's continued efforts to advance a just and lasting peace, commending the Holy See's recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders in accordance with international legitimacy, as well as its longstanding commitment to protecting the rights of Jerusalem's churches and preserving their historic status.
President Abbas also praised the supportive positions of the addressed world leaders and the UN Secretary-General in promoting a just peace based on international law and for their role in safeguarding the religious and cultural heritage of the Holy Land and preserving the Christian presence. He expressed hope that their governments would continue efforts and diplomatic engagement to halt these unilateral Israeli measures.
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