'Israel' targeting Christian presence in al-Quds: Church heads

By Myriam Charabaty
Source: Agencies
25 Jun 2024 20:46
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The heads of the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox Churches have accused Israeli authorities of attempting to expel the Christian community from al-Quds by imposing taxes on church properties and threatening legal actions.

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View of the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Friday, June 29, 2012 (AP)

"In this time, when the whole world, and the Christian world in particular, are constantly following the events in Israel, we find ourselves, once again, dealing with an attempt by authorities to drive the Christian presence out of the Holy Land," the heads of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches wrote in a letter to Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This comes as the heads of the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox denominations have accused the Israeli occupation of a "coordinated attack" on the Christian presence in al-Quds due to the decision, by several municipalities, such as Tel Aviv, Ramla, al-Nassira, and al-Quds, to tax church properties and threatening legal action following failure to do so.

“We believe these efforts represent a coordinated attack on the Christian presence in the Holy Land,” the church leaders wrote.

Church leaders contend that the policy change, which involves taxing their properties, breaks with the longstanding tradition of exemption, an action that will impact the status quo. They further argued that even commercial properties owned by the church should not be taxed since the proceeds support collective services such as schools, hospitals, and care facilities for the elderly and disabled.

In their joint statement, on Sunday, expressing their concern over al-Quds Municipality's decision to pursue legal action against the churches, the heads of the church said: "We declare that such a measure both undermines the sacred character of Jerusalem and jeopardizes the Church’s ability to conduct its ministry in this land on behalf of its communities and the worldwide church."

The conflict has historical roots. In 2018, when the Israeli-appointed Municipality of occupied al-Quds revealed its intention to levy property taxes amounting to $174.5 million on church properties not designated for worship, it provoked a significant backlash from the churches. In response, the heads of the three denominations responsible for the Holy Sepulchre Church chose to shut it down during a busy tourist season, aiming to draw attention to the economic consequences of the city's decision. At the time the pressure resulted in forcing "Israel's" hand against changing the status quo in al-Quds.

It is worth noting that the churches in Palestine outdated the establishment of the Israeli occupation regime by hundreds of years and some even over a thousand.

For example, the Church of the Nativity dates back to 335AD and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre goes back to 326AD. In the West Bank, the Greek Orthodox Church of Transfiguration dates back to 1852 and the Holy Family Catholic Church dates back to 1913.

Al-Quds is in grave danger: Archbishop Hanna - Exclusive

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds, Atallah Hanna, called for strong and decisive Arab action to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, pointing out that the entities aligned with the Americans are complicit in this aggression.

Archbishop Hanna told Al Mayadeen that there is a growing movement within universities and institutions opposing the Israeli aggression, which reflects heightened awareness regarding the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian cleric underlined that if Arabs unite, they have the power to stop the suffering of the entire Arab nation.

In the same context, Hanna warned that occupied al-Quds is in grave danger, with anything Arab, Islamic, and Christian in the city being targeted.

He affirmed that Palestinians in al-Quds remain resilient, but they need the support of their Arab brethren, as this city is "a trust we are entrusted with."

Elsewhere, the Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds emphasized the need for Palestinian unity and overcoming internal divisions for the sake of occupied al-Quds.

Hanna's remarks come a day after Israeli settlers stormed the Old City of occupied al-Quds from the Bab al-Amoud area during the so-called "Jerusalem Day Flag March", which commemorates the Israeli army's occupation of the Palestinian city in 1967.

Palestinian citizens confronted the attacks in various neighborhoods of the Old City currently witnessing provocations by settlers, many of whom were armed.

In coordination with the settlers, Israeli police blocked the streets of the Old City to the residents of al-Quds, citing the need to protect the "Flag March".

Settlers assaulted journalists and Palestinian citizens in Bab al-Amoud, forcing the journalists to leave the area. Additionally, the settlers hurled insults against Islam and Arabs.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine highlighted that more than 1,200 Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds.

Our correspondent mentioned that the settlers assaulted Palestinian citizens and shop owners during their incursions into the Old City.

She further noted that more than 3,000 police officers were deployed to protect the settlers' incursions.

Israeli occupation forces forced shop owners in the Old City to shutter their shops, erecting iron barriers, deploying cavalry units, and even summon a sewage water vehicle, effectively transforming Bab al-Amoud into a military barrack where Palestinians are suppressed and detained.