Jerusalem - (AFP) - Today, Monday, the churches of Jerusalem expressed their "grave concern" about the United Kingdom's declared intention to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the city of Jerusalem, as the United States did.

Last month, British Prime Minister Liz Terrace told her Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, of her intention to "review the current location of the British Embassy in Israel," a declaration welcomed by Israel and condemned by the Palestinians.

Such a decision would follow in the footsteps of former President Donald Trump's controversial decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, a measure left behind by Joe Biden.

Jerusalem church leaders on Monday expressed their "grave concern" that Britain would follow the example of the United States, according to a joint statement.

The churches consider Israel's occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians aspire to make as the capital of their future state, "unacceptable," and called on the UK to "redouble its diplomatic efforts" to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict instead of moving the embassy.

For the United Nations, the status of Jerusalem must be the subject of agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and in the meantime, countries should not open their embassies in Israel there.

The churches said that "the current religious situation in Jerusalem is necessary to maintain harmony in the Holy City and good relations between religious communities around the world."