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<p>The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has reopened following three days of closure which
left pilgrims and visitors praying in the square outside. The dispute was over a new
tax policy and proposed land expropriation law.</p><p>Officials from Church House
and staff at Lambeth Palace were in regular contact with the Heads of Churches Group
in the City of Jerusalem through Archbishop Suheil the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem
as the events unfolded. On the 5<sup>th</sup> of March, the Archbishop of Canterbury
and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster wrote a joint letter to the Israeli Ambassador
in the UK, to say that both Churches believed “the measures being pressed in Jerusalem
and in the Knesset, were a clear and evident threat to the status quo and that this
risked undermining prospects for peaceful coexistence between communities, at a time
of already heightened tensions.” Specifically, that, “the new policy would cause serious
damage to the Christian presence in Jerusalem, to Christian families, and to the Christian
institutions, including hospitals and schools, which serve many of the poorest people,
regardless of their background.”</p><p>The Church of England and the Roman Catholic
Bishops Conference in England and Wales will continue to work closely together on
issues relating to Israel and Palestine. Bishops from around the world make an annual
joint visit to the Holy Land as part of the Holy Land Coordination Group. The Bishop
of Southwark along with the Catholic Bishops will be hosting a meeting for all Members
on the 15<sup>th</sup> May, 3-4pm in Committee Room 2A to discuss and feedback the
findings of their visit.</p>
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