Gaza: President Mahmoud Abbas has reached out to international leaders, including Pope Leo XIV and King Abdullah II of Jordan, to alert them about the escalating situation in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically concerning actions by the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem against churches and Christian institutions. These actions, he argues, violate international law.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the letters were dispatched to a variety of influential figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, the prime ministers of several European nations, the President of Russia, and the United Nations Secretary-General. President Abbas' communication highlights Israel's attempt to impose the municipal property tax known as "Arnona" on churches as a severe breach of the established legal and historical norms governing holy sites. He perceives this as a direct threat to the Christian presence and religious institutions in the area.
President Abbas emphasized the special legal status of Jerusalem under international law, supported since the 1947 UN Partition Plan. He reiterated that the international community recognizes East Jerusalem as part of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. His letters referenced numerous UN Security Council resolutions that declare unilateral Israeli measures as null and void.
He urged churches not to comply with these unilateral measures or engage with Israeli authorities, cautioning that such actions could undermine the city's legal standing and existing agreements. President Abbas reiterated that the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
In his correspondence with King Abdullah II, President Abbas expressed gratitude for the Jordanian leader's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem's holy sites. Similarly, he thanked Pope Leo XIV for the Holy See's recognition of the State of Palestine and its commitment to preserving Jerusalem's religious heritage.
President Abbas also lauded the addressed world leaders and the UN Secretary-General for their roles in promoting peace based on international law and protecting the Holy Land's religious and cultural heritage. He expressed hope that these governments would persist in their diplomatic efforts to halt the unilateral Israeli actions.