Trump’s Jerusalem statement major concern to world Christians - Armenian patriarch

US President Donald Trump’s statement on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has come as a major concern to the Christian communities and Christian leaders across the globe, according to Archimandrite Koryun Baghdasaryan, the prelate of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“We have sent a letter signed by all the religious leaders to Trump, urging him to acknowledge the decades-long recognized status of Jerusalem without any changes. The religious leaders express their concerns that such a statement may instigate violence, giving ground to more confrontations and increasing the sufferings that the two nations are experiencing due to the already existing conflicts. It may spur a growing hatred among the residents here,” he told Tert.am on Thursday.

The Patriarch said they do not expect the US leader’s response very soon, adding that massive protests have been held in Palestine ever since, with many Arab shop owners being on strike in the Old City of Jerusalem. “There are no confrontations in Jerusalem at the moment,” he added.

According to the Patriarch, the developments will inevitably influence also the local Armenians.  

“We sent the letter to Trump in the hope that he will step aside from his policy line and revise his statement. The status granted to Jerusalem at the moment will continue as long as the negotiations are in progress,” he said.