Compassion & Relief

Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital: A Grave Threat to Future Peace

11 December 2017
From Churches for Middle East Peace

For Immediate Release: The Unilateral Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital Constitutes a Grave Threat to Future Peace

Washington, D.C. – December 5, 2017 – President Trump is expected to announce Wednesday his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) strongly opposes any unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move of the U.S. Embassy without a comprehensive peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.

It has been long standing U.S. policy that Jerusalem is a final status issue. CMEP promotes a shared Jerusalem by Palestinians and Israelis, and pursues an end to the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza, while advocating for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict that advances security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians. If the President moves forward with his unilateral decision, it will create a security threat for Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and the Middle East.

CMEP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon said, “Rather than being a broker for peace, the U.S. will be undermining trust and making the resumption of meaningful negotiations and achieving a viable solution all the more difficult, if not impossible.”

CMEP has deep concerns that predominantly Muslim countries have expressed that any recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital or moving of the U.S. Embassy will be a detriment to peace and undermine the regional stability and security of the Middle East.

Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 27 national church denominations and organizations, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions that works to encourage US policies that actively promote a comprehensive resolution to conflicts in the Middle East with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. CMEP works to mobilize US Christians to embrace a holistic perspective and to be advocates of equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East.

Question? Contact Jessica Pollock-Kim, info@cmep.org

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