The Status Quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites preserves
peace: UK statement at the Security Council
Firstly, the UK recognises that Jerusalem’s holy sites including
Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount hold particular significance for
many around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of
Christianity, Islam and Judaism. In that context, the visit was
made by the Israeli minister for National Security has the
potential to increase tensions.
The United Kingdom strongly supports the historic Status Quo
governing Jerusalem’s holy sites, which protects the sites and
those who worship there, and preserves peace.
The UK also recognises and values Jordan’s important role as
custodian of the holy sites and urges the importance of
cooperation with the Jordanian authorities in this regard. The UK
is committed to working with all parties to uphold this Status
Quo in Jerusalem. All parties must avoid actions which inflame
tensions, undermine the cause of peace, or unilaterally seek to
alter the Status Quo.
Second, our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and
long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement
between the Israelis and the Palestinians, ensuring that
Jerusalem is the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian
states, with access and religious rights of all peoples fully
respected.
Third, the UK reaffirms its support for a Two State Solution,
based on 1967 lines and Jerusalem as the shared capital, as the
only way to ensure a lasting peace between the parties. We are
concerned by levels of violence in the OPTs and Israel. I
encourage all parties to avoid actions that undermine the
prospects of peace.
