Christian Leaders Warn Trump of Dreadful Consequences in Jerusalem Move

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Christian leaders in Jerusalem on Dec. 6 have said the U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of the city as the capital of Israel could have terrible regional consequences.

Trump announced Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocating of the U.S. embassy.

"We have been following, with concern, the reports about the possibility of changing how the United States understands and deals with the status of Jerusalem. We are certain that such steps will yield increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, moving us farther from the goal of unity and deeper toward destructive division," the Christian leaders said in an open letter to Trump.

The Christian leaders, including the Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs as well as the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, appealed to Trump to consider their viewpoint, and said their "solemn advice and plea" for the president was to continue recognizing the international status of Jerusalem.

"We ask you, Mr. President, to help us all walk toward more love and a definitive peace, which cannot be reached without Jerusalem being for all," they said, according to Crux.

"Any sudden changes would cause irreparable harm. We are confident that, with strong support from our friends, Israelis and Palestinians can work toward negotiating a sustainable and just peace, benefiting all who long for the Holy City of Jerusalem to fulfill its destiny," they added.

Jerusalem could be "shared and fully enjoyed" once all people that live within it are liberated "from the conditions of conflict and destructiveness that they are experiencing," said the Christian leaders.

Let Jerusalem "not be deprived" of peace in the season of Christmas, they appealed.

Wishing Trump a Merry Christmas, the leaders invited him saying, "Walk with us in hope as we build a just, inclusive peace for all the peoples of this unique and Holy City."