Palestinian Presidency Rejects any Change to East Jerusalem’s Borders

A general view of Jerusalem. (Reuters)
A general view of Jerusalem. (Reuters)
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Palestinian Presidency Rejects any Change to East Jerusalem’s Borders

A general view of Jerusalem. (Reuters)
A general view of Jerusalem. (Reuters)

The Palestinian presidency rejected on Saturday any attempt to alter the borders of East Jerusalem, which is occupied by Israel.

Israel annexed the eastern section of the city in 1967 in a move that is not internationally recognized.

Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abou Rudeinah said: “We will not accept any change to the East Jerusalem borders.”

His statement came in response to a US official’s declaration that Washington believes that the Wailing Wall, as it is known to Jews, or the Burak wall, as it is known to Palestinians, should be part of Israel.

He predicted that the Burak wall, also known as the western wall of the Aqsa Mosque, would be part of the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The western wall will in the end become an integral part of Israel, said the US official.

Abou Rudeinah remarked that such statements only confirm that the current American administration was no longer part of the peace process.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a move that was condemned by the Arab and Muslim world and the international community.

Abou Rudeinah said that all of Washington’s decisions on Jerusalem related to its recognition of it as the capital of Israel are a violation of international law.



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.