We, the undersigned, Justice and Peace-loving citizens in India, urge the US Adminstration to withdraw its recognization of Jerusalem as the Captital of Israel and the proposal to shift its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Realizing the adverse impact of the announcement by President Trump on Wednesday, the 6th December 2017, on Arabs, Christians and Muslims who live in Palestine and all over the world;
Noting that this declaration will go against the UN Resolution that Jerusalem should be the ‘sacred place’ for all the major three religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity;
Sensing that such an action will disrespect and jeopardise the peace process that has been under progress for both Jews and Palestinians to live together with a two-nation theory and peaceful settlement;
Understanding that this has already geared up the Islamic and other countries to express their deep concern and anguish against such an unwarranted decision by the US;
Considering that most of the world leaders including Pope Francis, State Heads of Britain, France and Germany and several Islamic States have condemned this unilateral decision and raised their voice against this proposal;
Bearing in mind that such an impulsive and drastic decision would lead to disturbance of peace not only in Middle East but also across the world;
Reflecting that this kind of unwarranted announcements may further instigate and perpetuate the never ending war in that region that may spread over to different parts of the world;
Considering that this kind of irresponsible decions and desparate and impulsive actions would accelerate tension in Palestine and would worsen the life and livelihood situation of the marginalized especially the aged, otherwise abled, women and children in the occupied territories;
While expressing our deep concern and solidarity with the struggles of our brothers and sisters in Palestine for their life, livelihood, dignity, equality, justice and peace,
We strongly condemn the US Adminstration for the unilateral way of making decision on an internationally arbitrated issue that goes against all norms of democracy that the US keeps speaking about time and again for other nations to follow;
We urge US to withdraw this untimely and autarchic decision and allow the people of Israel and Palestine to live with Justice and Peace in mutually recognized states;
We also urge the Indian Government not to take sides with US and Israel but to intervene with the US Administration to call back this decision and announcement and to enable the Middle East and the entire world to live in Peace with due respct for humanity, dignity and diversity.
10.12.2017 – New Delhi
Name of the Signatories and Organisations:
Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan – Chairperson, Delhi Minority Commission, New Delhi
Sr. Anastasia Gill (Sneha) - Member – Delhi Minority Commission & Advocate, New Delhi
Mr. Ranjan Solomon, Badayl (Alternatives), Goa.
Mr. Samuel Jeyakumar, NCCI- National Council of Churches in India, New Delhi
Mr. Pradip Bansrior, NCCI- National Council of Churches in India, Nagpur
Fr. Devasahayaraj, Office for SC/BC - Catholic Bishops Conference of India, New Delhi
Fr. Ajaya Kumar Singh, OROSA-Odisha Organisation for Social Action, Bhubaneswar
Rev Chandra Mohan, Shaloam Centre, Yavatmal, Maharashtra
Dr. Richard Devadoss, Cornerstone, Chennai
Fr. Selvaraj Arulnathan, ISI-Indian Social Institute, Bangalore
Mr. Inbaraj Jeyakumar, SCM-India- Students Christian Movement- India, Bangalore
Dr. Victor Edwin, Vidya Jyothi Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, Delhi
Ms. Annie Namala, Social Activist, New Delhi
Dr. Rameshnathan, NDMJ-National Dalit Movement for Justice, New Delhi
Mr. Paul Divakar, SWADHIKAR, New Delhi
Fr. Aloysius Irudayam, Madurai, TN
Fr. Freddie, Ooty, TN
Rev Dr. Vincent Rajkumar, CISRS- Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore
Rev Fr. Dr. Mathew Chandrakunnel, ECC-Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore
Rev Dr. Gnanavaram, CSI-Church of South India, Madurai, TN
Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, NDCW- National Dalit Christian Watch, New Delhi
Rev Michael Alosanaya, Vidya Jyothi, Delhi
Dr. Vincent Manoharan, NDCW- National Dalit Christian Watch, New Delhi