House committee condemns Israeli court ruling on church property

AMMAN — The Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee on Saturday condemned the continuous attacks by settler groups on Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's properties in Jerusalem. 

The committee expressed its absolute rejection of all measures aimed to change East Jerusalem's identity, including the old city, and changing Jerusalem's historical and legal status quo and its sanctities, including Islamic and Christian properties and endowments, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Head of the committee MP Khaldoun Haina warned of the consequences of the recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling on church property and the Christian presence in the occupied East Jerusalem, adding that the House panel does not recognise Israeli courts' authority in the occupied Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem. 

The committee stressed that Jordan, under His Majesty King Abdullah's leadership, continues to take all possible steps to protect Islamic and Christian holy sites and preserve Jerusalem's historical and legal status quo as a key to peace and a symbol of tolerance.