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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee on Thursday issued a statement after it wrapped up its meetings here, which underlined WCC's unwavering support to defend the holy Christian shrines at the occupied Palestinian territories.

During deliberations, chiefs of Jerusalem churches briefed the committee's Director General, OlavTveit, on status quo of church institutions and properties in the occupied Jerusalem and expressed concern over blatant violations they encounter.

They lauded Jordan's unwavering support to Christian communities in the occupied Jerusalem and commended the King's efforts to preserve the holy city and its holy sites.

The Executive Committee reiterated its solidarity with efforts aimed to retain church ownership and control of properties in Jerusalem, including properties currently under dispute in the Jaffa Gate area, for the future survival of the Christian presence in the region, the statement added.

The Executive Committee also voiced its grave concern over legislative initiatives under discussion in the Knesset that would empower Israel to override historic ecclesiastical landlord/ownership rights, it affirmed.

"Initiatives that threaten the delicate historic set of relationships, rights and obligations encompassed in the ‘Status Quo’ arrangements risk further destabilization of the situation in Jerusalem and the Holy Land," it pointed out.