On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his intention to begin preparations to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Churches for Middle East Peace and members of our coalition issued statements expressing their concerns in anticipation of and in response to the President’s December 6 announcement.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
Churches for Middle East Peace: Unilateral Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital Constitutes Grave Threat to Future Peace
“Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) strongly opposes any unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move of the U.S. Embassy without a comprehensive peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. … CMEP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon said, ‘Rather than being a broker for peace, the U.S. will be undermining trust and making the resumption of meaningful negotiations and achieving a viable solution all the more difficult, if not impossible.'” Read More

The Episcopal Church
Christian Groups Raise Alarm Over Trump’s Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel
“The Episcopal Church is joining a global chorus of Christian voices speaking against President Donald Trump’s announcement Dec. 6 that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing longstanding U.S. policy toward the city. … ‘This decision could have profound ramifications on the peace process and the future of a two-state solution, and it could have a negative impact throughout the region and with key U.S. allies,’ the Office of Government Relations said. ‘The Episcopal Church Office is joining with Churches for Middle East Peace and many other organizations in opposing any effort to move the Embassy.'” Read More  

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Decision to Move U.S. Embassy in Israel
“I am deeply disturbed to learn of the Trump administration’s plans to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel away from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The ELCA has long held the view that a negotiated, final status agreement, including a ‘shared Jerusalem,’ must be reached without unilateral actions by any party that would prejudice the outcome of negotiations.” Read More

Friends Committee on National Legislation
FCNL: Trump’s Jerusalem Decision Foments Violence, Endangers Lives
“FCNL condemns the Trump administration’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, a provocative move that foments violence in the Middle East and endangers lives in the Middle East and potentially beyond. The Friends Committee on National Legislation urges Congress to denounce this provocation and to refuse to fund Trump’s planned fortress-like embassy in Jerusalem.” Read More

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns*
Maryknoll Condemns President Trump’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel
“‘The United States’ decision will further entrench Israel’s illegal occupation of East Jerusalem and the human rights violations that the Palestinian people suffer daily,’ said Gerry Lee, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. ‘This decision will only foster more hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East.'” Read More

Presbyterian Church, USA
In the Holy Land, Stated Clerk Calls upon President Trump not to Move U.S. Embassy
“[General Assembly Stated Clerk, Rev. J. Herbert] Nelson, who is currently in the Holy Land with a group of PC(USA) leaders, wrote in an email to Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), that ‘this move will create chaos and possible violence and dim the possibility for a just and lasting peace’ in the region. ‘Furthermore,’ Nelson wrote, ‘it will disrupt the call to celebrate our Christian witness to the coming of the Prince of Peace during this Advent season.'” Read More

United Methodist Church: General Board of Church and Society & General Board of Global Ministries
Statement on U.S. Jerusalem Embassy Decision
“United Methodists have long supported the international consensus that the things that make for just and lasting peace in the Middle East must include a shared Jerusalem. Our General Conference declares: ‘Jerusalem is sacred to all children of Abraham: Jews, Muslims, and Christians. We have a vision of a shared Jerusalem, as a city of peace and reconciliation, where indigenous Palestinians and Israelis can live as neighbors and, along with visitors and tourists, have access to holy sites and exercise freedom of religious expression. The peaceful resolution of Jerusalem’s status is crucial to the success of the whole process of making a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.'” Read More