Churches in the Vatican, Jordan, and Jerusalem: "No for forcible displacement"

The gargantuan solidarity that the sisterly Arab, friendly, and foreign countries express to Jordan's leadership and people is a source of great pride as it makes us proud of the wisdom and leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and his steering of the Jordanian ship towards the shores of safety and stability, with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II by his side.

The Churches also highly value the efforts undertaken by His Majesty the King, and confirm that the forcible displacement is an inhumane act prior to being politically rejected, as this represents the greatest support for the positions of His Majesty the King--with the extended Jordanian family, its Christians and Muslims, rallying behind him.

The Vatican has announced its rejection of the plans aimed at forcibly displacing the Palestinian people from Gaza, by Holy See Secretary of State (Prime Minister) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, when he said a few days ago that "the Palestinian people must remain in their land," noting that "one of the basic points of the Holy See is: No to forcible displacement and no to deportation."

Cardinal Parolin, who visited Jordan last month as a legate of His Holiness Pope Francis to inaugurate the Baptism Church of Jesus Christ at the Baptism Site and met with His Majesty the King, added that expelling the Palestinians would cause regional tensions and “would be meaningless,” because neighboring countries such as Jordan oppose it. He reiterated the Vatican’s constants regarding the Palestinian issue, namely that the solution lies in the two-state solution, which implies also giving hope to all peoples.

In Jerusalem, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches have issued a statement rejecting proposals for the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza, describing these ideas as “a flagrant violation that strikes at the very core of human dignity.”

They added in the statement issued from Jerusalem, "The people of Gaza, families who have lived for generations in the land of their ancestors, must not be forced into exile, stripped of whatever is left of their homes, their heritage, and their right to remain in the land that forms the essence of their identity."

It adds, "As custodians of the Christian faith and conscience in this sacred land," the patriarchs and heads of the Churches in Jerusalem stressed that the Christian faith prompts them to raise their voices in view of this tragedy, and that the Christian faith and conscience instructs them to defend the dignity of every human being, as the words of God in the Holy Bible states: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed.” (Isaiah 10:1-2)

The heads of the Churches in Jerusalem also acknowledged and supported the position of His Majesty King Abdullah II  and  President El-Sisi as well as other leaders of the world, whose firm and principled stance have remained clear and unwavering in rejecting any attempt to uproot the people of Gaza from their land. They also stressed their relentless efforts to provide humanitarian aid, appeal to the world’s conscience, and insist on the protection of civilians which exemplify leadership at its highest level of responsibility.

In Jordan, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media held a seminar a few hours before His Majesty King Abdullah II's arrival home, as he was returning from an important political visit to the United States, during which he wanted to express Jordan’s permanent position towards the Palestinian issue, in coordination with sisterly Arab and friendly countries.

In the seminar, which was attended by a number of church leaders and Islamic scholars marking the 15th anniversary of the World Interfaith Harmony Week and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Human Fraternity, the participants--who represent a miniature image of Greater Jordan--expressed their absolute support for His Majesty King Abdullah II and for the Jordanian diplomacy led by him, which is constant and clear with regards to placing the interests of Jordan and Jordanians at the top of the priorities, and enabling the Palestinian people to obtain all their legitimate rights, and rejecting any attempts at liquidation, forcible displacement ,and intimidation of the dear Palestinian people.

A number of priests, scouts, and Christian schools participated in welcoming His Majesty the King upon his return from Marka Airport, and expressed the cohesion of the extended Jordanian family, following his return from his important trip, and repeating His Majesty's three firm no's: No to settlement, no to displacement, and no to an alternative homeland.

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