Armenian Church in Al-Quds Says Israel Seeking to Seize Its Properties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Armenian Patriarchate of Al-Quds has accused Israeli authorities of levying “unjust”, “targeted and crippling taxes” against the religious entity in a campaign aimed at diminishing the church’s “presence in the Holy Land”.
In a statement on X, the patriarchate said the Al-Quds Municipality is seeking to seize property that it has owned for centuries and put it up for auction in order to collect municipal debts that have allegedly accrued since 1994.
The church said these claims have “never been proven in judicial proceedings, and through customary practices heretofore, have never been enforced”.
It warned that if the foreclosure process goes ahead, it could “become a precedent set against ALL Christian communities of Jerusalem al-Quds”.
Armenians have lived in Al-Quds’s Old City for more than 1,500 years, but say their presence in the multi-faith community has come under pressure in recent years, also from Zionist settlers as well a contested land deal that could see a quarter of their land turned into a luxury hotel.
“We desperately urge you to share yet another Urgent Communique. Targeted and crippling taxes against the religious entity of the Armenian Quarter of Al-Quds are being unjustly levied. This crushing threat can become a precedent set against ALL Christian Communities of Al-Quds,” the Church wrote on X.
