PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN LEADERS REJECTED US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S DECISION
 |
| Atallah Hanna told reporters 'the US gave the occupation what it does not deserve' [Nasser Shiyoukhi/Associated Press]
Palestinian Christian leaders have rejected US President Donald Trump's
decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, calling it
"dangerous" and "insulting".
Trump's December 6 announcement has sparked protests across the Muslim
world and drawn international condemnation.
The US move is offensive to "Christians and Muslims around the
world who consider Jerusalem as an incubator of their most sacred, spiritual and
national heritage", Atallah Hanna, the archbishop of Jerusalem's Greek
Orthodox church, said in a statement on Saturday.
"We, Palestinians, Christians and Muslims reject the US
recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," he added.
"The US gave the occupation what it does not deserve."
'Message of unity'
His comments came as Christian Palestinians on Sunday took part in
festivities taking place on the eve of Christmas.
Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Bethlehem, said many
Muslims were also attending the annual events in a show of solidarity against
Trump's decision.
"This message of unity is one Palestinians are very adamant to
convey, especially while there is this political crisis taking the area by
storm," she said.
Maher Canavati, a member of Bethlehem's local council, told Al Jazeera
the celebrations are intended to deliver "messages of peace, love and
understanding".
"We want peace with our neighbours [but] we need to be able to
share Jerusalem and to have easy access to Jerusalem as Palestinians [as
well]."
Bethlehem, normally brimming with tourists at this time of year, has
been almost empty of visitors in recent days due to nearby confrontations
between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in the wake of the US decision.
"Unfortunately, after the statement of Donald Trump a lot of
people were not sure about the security in this area. Many of those who were in
the country did not make it to Bethlehem, they stayed in Jerusalem and in the
northern part of the country," said Canavati.
"But we are here are celebrating, welcoming everybody - it is very
important for us that all of the Christians coming to Bethlehem supporting the
Muslim and Christian community here are taken care of."
Life in Gaza a 'prison'
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Christians held a vigil to express their
support for Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.
Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb, reporting from the besieged territory, said
anger at Trump's decision is shared among Christians and the majority-Muslim populating
living in the besieged territory.
"Everyone we have spoken to here is in opposition to the US move,
and they say it only adds to the frustration of life here," he said.
The Israeli blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip, in its current form,
has been in place for more than 10 years.
Gaza's isolation has devastated its economy, impoverished much of the
Strip's two million people, and left them without adequate electricity, water
and health services. Since 2007, Israel has launched three wars against the
Hamas-governed Strip.
Some 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, fewer than half the
amount 10 years ago.
According to sociologist Samir Quta, many Christian families have fled
Gaza in recent years in search of safety and financial security.
"Christian families in Gaza usually have a high socio-economic
level, and the more people have options and money, the more they look for a
better life," he told Al Jazeera.
"This is not available in Gaza. Even with money in Gaza you cannot
have a good life."
Rosette Saygh, a Christian still living in Gaza, told Al Jazeera life
in the territory has become like a "prison" for those who have
remained behind.
"Life is very difficult in Gaza, we live under siege and we cannot
move anywhere … We have witnessed many wars, during the bombing we had to sleep
in the church for safety," she said.
News source ; Al Jazeera |
No comments