The Council of Europe condemned Israel and expressed its solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has condemned the Jerusalem authorities’ attempt to seize the property of the Jerusalem Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a statement by WCC Secretary General, Professor Jerry Peele said.

 It should be noted that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem of the Armenian Apostolic Church is sounding the alarm that the Israeli authorities are trying to seize property belonging to the Armenian Church. The Jerusalem Municipality is trying to seize property that has belonged to the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church for centuries and auction it off, allegedly in exchange for community debts that have accrued since 1994.

" We condemn this action as a flagrant violation of religious freedom and a disturbing violation of the historic status quo in the governance of Jerusalem's holy sites," the statement said.

Pillay noted that for centuries, the Armenian Patriarchate, along with other Christian institutions, has preserved the heritage of the Holy Land, serving as a beacon of faith and justice .

Pillay added that the coercive measures taken against the patriarchate are not only a legal and moral travesty, but also a dangerous precedent that threatens all Christian institutions in Jerusalem .

" This reckless action is part of a larger campaign of oppression, land disputes and intimidation against Christian communities in the Holy City, actions that the Coptic Orthodox Church has repeatedly condemned. We call on the Israeli government to immediately freeze the alienation procedures and preserve the internationally recognized status quo in Jerusalem," the statement said .

Pillay also called on the international community, including religious and political leaders, to take decisive steps to protect the rights of Christian communities and create conditions so that the Holy Land remains a place of worship, peace and coexistence for all .

" The World Council of Churches reaffirms its unwavering commitment to justice and peace in the Holy Land. We will continue to raise our voices in defense of the sacred heritage and dignity of all in the Holy Land," the statement said .

Let us add that the statement of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem stated that this step by the Israeli authorities not only endangers the mission of the Armenian Patriarchate in the Holy Land, which began in the 7th century, but also may jeopardize the future presence of the Armenian community in the Holy Land, which dates back to the 4th century.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem has raised the alarm that the Jerusalem Municipality is attempting to seize real estate that has belonged to the Armenian Patriarchate for centuries in order, according to its own claim, to collect debts for community taxes that have accrued since 1994.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in protest, has filed an administrative lawsuit, the hearing of which is scheduled for February 24, 2025.

It is noted that if the lawsuit is rejected, the Jerusalem Municipality will seize the patriarchate's real estate and auction it off in order to collect disputed debts that have never been proven in court.

“ Bringing a case against the Armenian Patriarchate, forcing it to pay the alleged debt and, even more so, confiscating its property, could jeopardize the long-standing mission of the Armenian Patriarchate in the Holy Land, which began in the 7th century. Moreover, it could threaten the continued presence of the Armenian community in the Holy Land, which dates back to the 4th century,” the patriarchate said in a statement .

According to it, this is a blatant attempt by the Jerusalem Municipality to undermine the Armenian Patriarchate through economic pressure, with the aim of reducing its presence in the Holy Land.

“We call on the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Moshe Arbel, and the Head of the Government Committee, Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi, to intervene decisively and immediately freeze all actions of the Municipality against the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. We also call on the resumption of the sessions of this Government Committee, exclusively within the framework established by the Committee, in order to find a peaceful solution to this issue through negotiations,” the Patriarchate said in a statement.