Jerusalem leaders to Abbas: “Don’t give up Jerusalem”

Over 100 prominent Palestinian residents of Jerusalem on Monday published an ad in a Jerusalem newspaper appealing to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas not to give up the Palestinian right to the city of Jerusalem.

The 108 signatories of the appeal included top Christian and Muslim leaders of the holy city.

Jerusalem is especially important for Muslims, Jews and Christians, as it holds historical and spiritual significance in all three religions. 

Jerusalem is currently occupied by Israeli forces and under Israeli control, with Palestinian neighborhoods being isolated behind the Wall currently being constructed through the middle of the city. 

The retention of Jerusalem as the capital city for a future Palestinian state has always been one of the Palestinian people’s core demands, along with the return of Palestinian refugees and release of Palestinian prisoners. 

Monday’s full-page ad did not include specific demands outside of the retention of Jerusalem, but it did direct Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “not to give up the Palestinian national demands”.

The ad came as President Abbas prepares for a ‘peace talk’ with Israel in Annapolis, Maryland, in the US, on November 26th.