The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III expressed concern over the recent events and confrontations that took place in the city in the past days between Israeli police and the city’s Palestinian youths while the Church enters the Holy Week.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem, all Palestine and Jordan, “is following with great interest the developments of the events that took place in the Holy City, and stresses the need to respect the existing legal and historical status of the Holy Places, the Hashemite guardianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the Holy Land, and the exclusive rights of the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem to administrate Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which is affiliated with the Al-Aqsa Mosque Directorate in the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places,” said the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in a statement.
“Any interference with this freedom is an attack on the rights of Muslims guaranteed by law and international treaties,” said the Patriarch.
“His Beatitude is also keen to guarantee freedom of worship for all, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, due to its religious importance for the Muslims, and the customs inherited by Jerusalemites in general. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos calls on everyone to respect the sanctity of the holy month, maintain peace and safety, especially of the worshipers, and exercise freedom of worship and access to the holy places with respect and dignity, as guaranteed by the international law,” said the Patriarchate.
“He stressed that Jerusalem will remain the gate to heaven and the key to peace.”
Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA