AB Tomasi urges U.S. rethink on Jerusalem as Israeli capital
By Philippa Hitchen
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, former Vatican envoy to the U.N. in Geneva, told Vatican News that any move away from the Status Quo in Jerusalem 鈥渃ould have unforeseen consequences鈥�. He added: 鈥淢y prayer is that [鈥�.] the recognised neutral status of Jerusalem, accessible for the three religions, Christian, Jewish and Muslim, will continue to be so鈥�.
The Vatican diplomat was speaking ahead of an expected announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.
Palestinians and Arab leaders across the region have criticized President Trump鈥檚 decision, which includes a plan to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Archbishop Tomasi said the planned move 鈥渋s certainly not a gesture of openness for dialogue鈥�. While he said it was difficult to predict the consequences, he said he feared 鈥渨e will continue to see this tragedy of violence, destruction鈥� and the forced movement of refugees, adding that 鈥渟imple people, normal families will pay the highest price鈥�.
The former Holy See ambassador, who currently serves as advisor to the Vatican鈥檚 office for Integral Human Development, endorsed the made by 杏MAP导航 Francis earlier on Wednesday to maintain the Status Quo of Jerusalem.
Listen to pope's appeal for dialogue
He noted that in the United States the pope鈥檚 voice 鈥渋s highly respected and listened to by a lot of people, so even for a simple political calculation, it would be useful for everybody to listen to the invitation the pope directs to all parties concerned鈥�.
Archbishop Tomasi added that the reported phone conversation between the pope and Palestinian leader Abu Masen showed signs of 鈥済ood will to talk, to negotiate鈥�. But he said the dialogue 鈥渉as to be enlarged to involve all participants regarding this issue, above all the Israelis鈥�.
He added that Israel must not allow its own interests to 鈥渄isrupt what the UN has repeated many times, and what has also been the logical and coherent position of the Holy See for all the past decades鈥�.
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