In Israel, the fear of seeing the British embassy transferred to Jerusalem
File photo (2006): Israeli security guards guard the British Embassy compound in Tel Aviv, Israel.
ASSOCIATED PRESS - ARIEL SCHALIT
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The patriarchs and heads of the various Churches of Jerusalem urge London not to transfer its embassy to the Holy City.
The UK Embassy to Israel is currently located in Tel Aviv.
A few weeks ago, the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, announced her intention to review her “
location
”.
A decision hailed by Israel, but lambasted by the Palestinians.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Sami Boukhelifa
Transferring the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem means
de facto
recognizing the disputed city as the capital of the Jewish state.
Last month, during an interview with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, Liz Truss made it clear that she intended to follow in Donald Trump's footsteps.
In 2018, the former US president made the same controversial decision.
A measure maintained, moreover, by his successor Joe Biden.
This Monday, the heads of the churches in Jerusalem are expressing their “
serious concerns
” about this.
In a joint statement, they remind London of
the "unacceptable
" occupation and annexation by Israel of East Jerusalem, considered by the Palestinians as the capital of their future state.
It is in this part of the city that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy places are located.
🔵 The Archbishop of Canterbury is "concerned" over Liz Truss's controversial suggestion that she would relocate the British embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem https://t.co/EplpCtb4PB
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 10, 2022
Aware of the fragile balance that reigns in the Holy City, the patriarchs and heads of the various Churches of Jerusalem, call on the United Kingdom to "
redouble its diplomatic efforts
" to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rather than to transfer its embassy in Jerusalem.
► To read also:
The United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem
Israel and Turkey restore diplomatic relations
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