AMMAN: Jerusalem’s Greek Orthodox patriarch has denounced an Israeli court ruling to allow a pro-settlement group to take control of church land in a mainly Palestinian area of occupied and annexed East Jerusalem.
On July 31, a Jerusalem court upheld controversial real estate deals involving Israeli pro-settlement organization Ateret Cohanim and the church for two hotel properties near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City, Israeli media reported, finding no evidence of the deals resulting from fraud or bribery.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem on Saturday criticized what he called an “unjust” and “politically motivated” ruling and said the church would appeal to Israel’s supreme court.
“This decade-long legal battle has resulted in an unjust decision which disregarded all of the patriarchate’s clear and concrete legal evidence proving bad faith, bribery and conspiracy,” Theophilos said.
“Such a decision in favor of the settler group Ateret Cohanim can only be interpreted as politically motivated.”
In 2005, Israel’s Maariv daily newspaper reported that foreign Jewish investors had paid millions of dollars to buy two large properties just inside Jaffa Gate through a secret deal with the Greek Orthodox church.
A source close to the Greek Orthodox patriarchy at the time told AFP that the church was unaware of the land sale, which triggered Palestinian anger and saw Theophilos’s predecessor removed from office.
According to Israeli media, the agreements, which were initially signed in 2004, were for 99-year leases on hotel properties near Jaffa Gate.
The church went to court against Ateret Cohanim, claiming the deals were inked illegally and without its authorization.
The Greek Orthodox Church is the biggest and wealthiest Christian Church in the Holy Land.
Its Jerusalem patriarchate commands massive wealth, largely in land portfolios in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Jordan.
Jerusalem Greek Orthodox leader slams Israel pro-settler ruling
Jerusalem Greek Orthodox leader slams Israel pro-settler ruling
US Senate votes to end 'Caesar' sanctions against Syria
- Foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani says the move will 'open new horizons for cooperation' with the world
- Repeal of the sanctions is contained within sweeping defense bill, which sets out a record $901bn in annual military spending
LONDON: The ending of tough US sanctions against Syria moved a step closer on Wednesday when the US Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a sweeping defense bill.The National Defense Authorization Act, which sets out a record $901 billion in annual military spending, included measures to repeal the “Caesar Act” financial restrictions placed on Damascus.
The sanctions were imposed in 2020 against former President Bashar Assad’s regime over the human-rights abuses carried out during the civil war.
Assad was driven from power a year ago and the new government has worked to end Syria’s international isolation and has won support from President Donald Trump.
Removing US restrictions on trade and investment with the country is seen as a crucial step in helping it recover from the devastating 13-year conflict.
The legislation will now pass to the president who the White House has said will sign it into law.
Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, welcomed the progress of the bill.
“We express our sincere gratitude to the US Senate for its support of the Syrian people through its vote to repeal the Caesar Act,” he wrote on X.“We consider this step a positive development that opens new horizons for cooperation and partnership between our country and the world.”
