Jerusalem should be shared by all, Malaysian Church leaders say

KUALA LUMPUR: Jerusalem should be shared by both Palestinians and Israelis, several Church leaders said on Dec 25.

Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary, Rev Dr Hermen Shastri said the Churches agree with the position adopted by the United Nations on this issue, which is to allow both sides to have access to the controversial religious area.

“Most Churches follow the position of the UN, where Palestinians have the right to their homeland and where Israelis have the right to their homeland.

“Jerusalem is a place that all religions are interested in. It should be a city of peace. It should be a shared capital,” he told reporters when met at the sidelines of a Christmas high-tea event, Dec 25.

He added that, instead of attending rallies and protests, all parties should work together to find an immediate solution to the issue.

Hermen explained that even several Church leaders of Palestinian origin have been affected badly by the Jerusalem issue.

“Any nation should not stall the peace initiative. Look for the path of peace within the framework of justice.

“We do not go for those kinds of rallies. We go for rallies within our Church movement, in solidarity with Christian leaders, many of whom are Palestinians,” he said.

Fr George Harrison, a Catholic priest from Seremban, said despite their respective religious beliefs, people should be more tolerant and less aggravated by the situation.

“Well, we have to use the wisdom that comes from God, and sacred scriptures to find a peaceful solution for this.

“I think we can always find an answer by seeking for wisdom and the right thing to do, instead of looking for a quick response to a situation. We can always have some other way,” he said.

Malaysia has staunchly opposed the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in solidarity with Palestine, as it was an insult to Muslims worldwide.

Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak led a rally in front of Masjid Putra to show solidarity for Palestinian Muslims and opposed US President Donald Trump’s announcement vehemently.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online