EU says Israeli projects would pose 'serious threat' to special status of Jerusalem

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The European Union expressed concern Monday over controversial Israeli projects in Jerusalem, saying they threaten to permanently change the character of numerous holy sites.

In a statement, the Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA) expressed concern over pending projects including the expansion of the National Park on the Mount of Olives and the plan to build a cable car in Jerusalem’s historic core.

"A number of pending projects in and around Jerusalem's Old City threaten to alter permanently the character of numerous holy sites and undermine the established religious equilibrium," said the statement.

It came after a meeting between the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah and representatives of several Christian churches present at the Mount of Olives.

It stressed that these plans "would pose a serious threat to the special status of Jerusalem as well as to the peaceful coexistence of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem."

"The EU calls for the upholding of the Status Quo, including for Christian holy sites," said the statement, adding the special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City must be preserved and respected by all.

Last year, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected petitions against the construction of the controversial cable car project, which extends over 1.4 kilometers (0.86 miles) from the Mount of Olives area adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City to the Al-Maghariba Gate, one of the Old City's main gates near Al-Aqsa Mosque.