JERUSALEM, May 15, 2018 (WAFA) – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land came out strong on Tuesday in opposition to the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, warning that such moves undermine peace efforts.

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land stands in strong opposition to the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem,” said a statement by the church’s bishop, Sani Ibrahim Azar. “This move is in violation of international law and reverses decades of foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine. Such a unilateral decision undermines any potential for achieving just peace based on the UN Resolutions, and in fact has increased tension and conflicts throughout the region.”

Bishop Azar said that “Jerusalem is a very special city, holy to three religions, and therefore it should be a place of peace, justice, and reconciliation,” stressing that his church wants to see “two viable and sovereign independent states, living side by side with agreed upon borders, and with Jerusalem as a shared city for Christians, Jews and Muslims,” and freedom of access to the holy sites for all.

“We are deeply concerned about what the opening of the US Embassy means for the future of this city and of the Holy Land,” said Bishop Azar, calling upon “our partner churches to urge their governments to respect the International Law concerning Jerusalem.”

M.K.