Pope Francis on Sunday renewed a call for “wisdom and prudence” over US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which has sparked protests and clashes.
“The Holy Father renews his appeal for the wisdom and prudence of everyone, and raises fervent prayers so that the leaders of nations, in this time of special gravity, commit themselves to avert a new spiral of violence,” a statement from the Vatican said.
There were fresh protests in the Middle East and elsewhere Sunday over Trump’s declaration, a move that drew global condemnation and sparked days of unrest in the Palestinian territories.
READ: 577 firms bid for NNPC Insurance Renewal programme
Noting that Jerusalem was sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, the pope reiterated the church’s “well-known position concerning the singular character of the Holy City and the essential need for respecting the status quo”.
“At the same time the Holy See reiterates its own conviction that only a negotiated solution between Israelis and Palestinians can bring a stable and lasting peace, and guarantee the peaceful co-existence of two states within internationally recognised borders,” the statement added.
Traditional US allies have condemned President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Saudi Arabia called it “unjustified and irresponsible”, while France and the UK said they did not support the decision.
Demonstrations broke out outside the US consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, and in Jordan’s capital Amman.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it was “a moment of great anxiety”. “There is no alternative to the two-state solution,” he stressed.
In other reaction the British Prime Minister Theresa May said she disagreed with the US decision, which was “unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region”
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both said their countries did not support the move.
The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini voiced “serious concern”
But Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as “historic” and said he was sure more countries would follow suit.
