Bishops from different churches have rejected Donald Trump's “Peace to Prosperity” plan for the Middle East.
In a statement today, the bishops insist on the upholding of "international law and human rights for all" in the Holy Land.
In his plan, released by the White House on Tuesday, Trump pledged promising to keep Jerusalem undivided and as Israel's capital, but also did propose an independent Palestinian state.
He described his proposals as possibly the last opportunity for Palestinians, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed them as a conspiracy, insisting: "Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain."
In a joint statement, the Bishop of Clifton Declan Lang and the Anglican Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun said: "Our governments have a responsibility to uphold international law and protect human dignity in the Holy Land. This unilateral initiative does not do so.
"We are extremely concerned that the UK government has welcomed the proposal. The government should continue to insist upon meaningful dialogue, a viable two-state solution and the application of international law."
They endorsed the words of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, who said the proposals have to be based on equal rights and dignity: "We think that no proposal and no serious perspective could be reached without the agreement of the two peoples, Israelis and Palestinians. These proposals have to be based on equal rights and dignity."
The Holy Land bishops warned it would probably lead to more bloodshed.
They said: "It is to be considered a unilateral initiative, since it endorses almost all the demands of one side, the Israeli one, and its political agenda. On the other hand, this plan does not really take into considerations the just demands of the Palestinian people for their homeland, their rights and dignified life. This plan will bring no solution but rather will create more tensions and probably more violence and bloodshed."
Church leaders worldwide called on all churches to pray for the Holy Land, to work towards justice and peace and to be the voice of the voiceless.
However, the White House said support for the plan was growing internationally.
UK’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We welcome the release of the United States’ proposal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This is clearly a serious proposal, reflecting extensive time and effort. A peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians that leads to peaceful coexistence could unlock the potential of the entire region, and provide both sides with the opportunity for a brighter future. Only the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian territories can determine whether these proposals can meet the needs and aspirations of the people they represent. We encourage them to give these plans genuine and fair consideration, and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations.”
Saudi Arabia's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement: “The kingdom appreciates the efforts of President Trump’s Administration to develop a comprehensive peace plan between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides, and encourages the start of direct peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, under the auspices of the United States, and to resolve any disagreements with aspects of the plan through negotiation.”
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