Head of Orthodox church decries US Jerusalem stance

By Gulsum Incekaya

ISTANBUL

Greek Orthodox Patriarch has spoken out against changing the status of Jerusalem in the wake of the U.S. recognition of the city as Israel's capital.

Fener Patriarch Bartholomew, called for the city’s unique standing to be preserved.

“All Christians in Jerusalem, not only Orthodox but also Catholics and Armenians, share the same view,” he told a Christmas congregation in Istanbul on Sunday.

“As there are already so many sufferings in the Middle East, why are new ones added to this?”

Bartholomew, who is based in Istanbul’s Fener district, said he had recently visited Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and agreed for the city to be protected for all faiths.

He said he had also spoken to Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas and passed on his wishes for a peaceful 2018 for Palestinians.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his pledge to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv drew condemnation from across the world and sparked angry protests in the occupied territories.

Last week, a UN resolution condemning the decision was backed by 128 states.