This week world leaders have taken to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly to give speeches about their vision for the world and their nations. One such speaker was the King of Jordan Abdullah II who claimed that Christianity is “under fire”.
Abdullah, who sees Jordan as the custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in the city, said the “future of Jerusalem is an urgent concern.”
“Undermining Jerusalem’s legal and historical status quo triggers global tensions and deepens religious divides,” he said. “The Holy City must not be a place for hatred and division. As a Muslim leader, let me say clearly that we are committed to defending the rights, the precious heritage and the historic identity of the Christian people of our region. Nowhere is that more important than in Jerusalem.”
“Today, Christianity in the Holy City is under fire. The rights of churches in Jerusalem are threatened,” the king said. “This cannot continue. Christianity is vital to the past and present of our region and the Holy Land. It must remain an integral part of our future.”
A number of Christian groups have spoken out against this false claim, including Christians United for Israel.
“Jerusalem never knew true peace or prosperity until its liberation by Israel,” said a CUFI spokesperson.
“It is because of Israel’s respect for peace that the Hashemite Kingdom plays a special role in certain sites in Jerusalem,” the spokesperson told JNS. “And it is because of Israel’s respect for liberty that Jews, Christians, Muslims and all others enjoy true religious freedom in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.”
King Abdullah has in more recent years shown a growing resentment towards Israel, particularly because the majority of Jordanians are Palestinians and they pressure his government to take a strong stance against Israel.
The persecuted Church in the Middle East is in desperate need of help and King Abdullah shames himself by accusing Israel of threatening Christianity while ignoring genuine threats against Christians that cost them their lives.
The reality is that Israel is the safest place for Christians in the Middle East and should be praised for ensuring the safety of Jews, Christians and others to worship in Jerusalem in peace.
We call upon the UK Government to officially recognise Jerusalem is Israel's capital and move its embassy to Jerusalem.
Related Articles:
