WCC urges new approach to ensure unimpeded access to Jerusalem's holy sites

H B Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem and of all Palestine during the Holy Light ceremony, 11 April, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo: Jerusalem-Patriarchate

Source: WCC

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, after hearing reports of Holy Fire Saturday in Jerusalem on 11 April was marked with violence against Christian worshipers, reiterated calls on Israeli authorities to protect the status of Jerusalem as a city holy to the three monotheistic religions.

"The World Council of Churches is asking the government of Israel, once again, to allow unimpeded access to Jerusalem's holy sites as per the Status Quo, and to refrain from violence against worshipers who simply want to exercise their faith," said Pillay. "Lessons learned need to be taken by the relevant Israeli authorities in Jerusalem, to avoid violence against ordinary civilians who simply want to pray and to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

The approach of setting up barricades in Jerusalem Old's City has failed, noted Pillay.

"At the same time, hinderance to Muslims' free access to Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram Al-Sharief in Jerusalem must be addressed and resolved," he added. "Christians and Muslims are feeling increasingly unwelcome in Jerusalem, and this message needs to reach the entire world, particularly the government of Israel."

The World Council of Churches wants to see Jerusalem as a city where all faiths enjoy equal rights, Pillay concluded. "But this can happen only through the willingness to admit the failure of the current structure and to seek a new one that ensures equity and justice," he said.

Read the full statement