The patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem have issued a statement in support of His Majesty's speech to the 77th session of the UN general assembly in which they have expressed their gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for his honesty in describing the Christian reality of living in the Holy Land. See full statement below.
Statement Text:
We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, express our utmost gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah the second of Jordan, the Hashemite custodian of Christian and Muslim Holy sites in the Holy Land, for his true and honest description of the Christian reality in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem, during his highly respected speech at the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 20th of September, 2022.
We also applaud His Majesty’s public commitment to protect our communities’ historical and legal status quo, thus preserving our safety and future. His Majesty’s spearheading efforts to ring the bells of warning over the deteriorating situation of Christian basic human rights sends a strong message to the world regarding the clear and present dangers surrounding the Christian heritage and presence in Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy Land.
We call on the International Community as whole, and all peace-loving people around the world, to act upon His Majesty’s warning addressed in his United Nations speech.
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
King Abdullah II's Speech
The King started his speech highlighting the current and ongoing global crises including conflict, climate change, the pandemic, inflation and hunger, and called for unity to deliver a better, more equitable and sustainable world in which future generations can thrive. He went on to outline how Jordan is responding to these challenges.
He then turned his focus to his concern for the Palestinian people calling on the international community
to send a strong message of support for the rights of Palestinian refugees, ensuring that Palestinian refugee children have schools to go to, and access to appropriate medical care.
He quoted the UN principal of "self-determination for all peoples" and affirmed the two-state solution, in accordance with UN resolutions and made clear that the future of Jerusalem is an urgent concern and his commitment to protect the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites.
And as a Muslim leader, let me say clearly that we are committed to defending the rights, the precious heritage, and the historic identity of the Christian people of our region. Nowhere is that more important than in Jerusalem.
Read the full speech here.
