The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed concern on the potential for the British embassy in Israel to be moved from Tel Aviv to the contested holy metropolis of Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Liz Truss instructed her Israeli counterpart on the United Nations summit in New York final month that she was contemplating the relocation, after Donald Trump ordered the identical transfer for the US embassy throughout his presidency.
Justin Welby is anxious concerning the potential implications of such a change earlier than a negotiated settlement is reached between Israel and the Palestinians.
The UK has lengthy maintained its Israel embassy in Tel Aviv regardless of Israel designating Jerusalem as its capital.
In a press release to Jewish Information on Friday, a spokesperson for Mr Welby stated: “The archbishop is anxious concerning the potential influence of shifting the British embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem earlier than a negotiated settlement between Palestinians and Israelis has been reached.
“He's in contact with Christian leaders within the Holy Land and continues to hope for the peace of Jerusalem.”
A Downing Avenue spokeswoman beforehand stated Ms Truss had knowledgeable Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid “about her overview of the present location of the British embassy in Israel”, on the UN summit in September.
She made the pledge in the course of the Tory management contest in a letter to the Conservative Pals of Israel.
Ms Truss has stated she understands the “significance and sensitivity” over its location.
Labour and the Lib Dems have additionally voiced their issues concerning the overview, with the latter’s overseas affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran, warning towards a “provocation”.
“The UK ought to in no way be taking steps which danger inflaming tensions and damaging the prospects of peace,” she stated.
“I've written to the Overseas Secretary to clarify that shifting the embassy ought to solely come as a part of a negotiated peace settlement between Israel and Palestine, and that this overview ought to accordingly be stopped.”
A Labour spokesperson instructed Center East Eye: “Our place on this hasn’t modified, Labour doesn't help the transfer. We are not looking for the transfer to occur and we'll oppose it.”
Mr Trump sparked controversy in 2017 by asserting the US embassy could be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.