Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning has renewed the Episcopal Church's call for the Israeli government to share Jerusalem as the capital of two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine.

The statement follows reports of Israeli refusal to allow Palestinians to conduct a census in East Jerusalem. Bishop Browning said the action "is indicative of the peril which confronts the current peace process."

"East Jerusalem is occupied territory and is not recognised as part of the capital of Israel in the international community, no matter what Israel may claim," Bishop Browning wrote in his statement on December 11. "Even the United States, Israel's best friend and benefactor, has never recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite congressional pressure emanating from the Israeli lobby."

Bishop Browning noted that the Episcopal Church's General Convention last July passed a resolution calling for a shared Jerusalem for Israel and Palestine. "This will be difficult to negotiate but, if successful, will be a just solution to a very contentious issue. Such an arrangement will bring honour to the claim of three Abrahamic religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam-that Jerusalem is a sacred city to each faith group."

Bishop Browning, and his wife Patti, have been strong advocates for Palestinian rights for many years. Many members of the Anglican Church in the Middle East are Palestinian Christians.

"I pray the hopes and aspirations of all the parties will be honoured in a just and enduring peace," Bishop Browning concluded.