The Jerusalem heads of three major Evangelical Christian organizations have criticized plans to give the Palestinian Authority control over parts of Jerusalem, saying such a move would restrict freedom of religious worship in the city.  Rebecca Brimmer of Bridges for Peace pointed out that Christians had suffered a lack of religious freedom under the 19 years of Jordanian rule that ended in 1967, and expressed concern that were Israel to give up control of the area “it would be a very difficult time for Christians.”

Ray Sanders of Christian Friends of Israel said it would be “a terrible mistake” to even discuss the possibility of giving up parts of Jerusalem.  He said the Israeli government should do more to refute Muslim claims of ownership of the Western Wall (Kotel).  Reverend Malcolm Hedding of the International Christian Embassy said any plan to divide the city was “unacceptable,” and stressed “the sanctity of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.”