Hamas calls on Vatican not to acknowledge Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem churches

The Islamic Resistance Movement has expressed its concerns over the proposed deal between the Vatican State and Israel, which implies the acknowledgement of Israeli sovereignty over Christian churches and other properties in occupied Jerusalem. Hamas said that such a deal would be a dangerous concession in Israel’s favour and a flagrant violation of international law.

In a press release, a Hamas spokesman said: “Monuments and sacred symbols, both Muslim and Christian, will remain Palestinian, and the Israeli Occupation will not be allowed to control them or manage them, because our people, Muslims and Christians alike, will stand united in the face of all of the Occupation’s schemes.”

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Hamas called upon the Vatican not to strike the deal with Israel, holding the Roman Catholic hierarchy “responsible for any consequences”. The movement also called on the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to intervene immediately so as to prevent “this dangerous precedent and protect Muslim and Christian sacred sites and buildings from the Israeli Occupation and its schemes”.