Urgent Communique from the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued an urgent communique, appealing for global attention and intervention regarding what it describes as unjustly levied and crippling taxes by the Jerusalem Municipality. This unprecedented financial pressure, the Patriarchate warns, poses a severe threat not only to its own religious entity but also sets a dangerous precedent for all Christian communities in Jerusalem.
We desperately urge you to share yet another Urgent Communique. Targeted and crippling taxes against the religious entity of the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem are being unjustly levied. This crushing threat can become a precedent set against ALL Christian Communities of Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/1ZH7sScmvE
— Armenian Patriarchate Of Jerusalem (@ArmenianQuarter) February 18, 2025
Foreclosure Threat on Patriarchate Properties
The core of the crisis lies in the Jerusalem Municipality’s aggressive pursuit of foreclosure against real estate properties owned by the Armenian Patriarchate for centuries. This action is intended to recover alleged Arnona (municipal tax) debts purportedly accrued since 1994. The Patriarchate has filed an administrative petition (ATM 1470-02-24) to halt this foreclosure, with a hearing scheduled for Monday, February 24, 2025.
The Arnona Tax Dispute: Decades-Old Allegations
The dispute centers around alleged unpaid Arnona debts dating back to 1994. The Patriarchate contests the validity of these debts, asserting they have never been proven in judicial proceedings. They highlight that customary practices have historically not enforced such tax demands against religious institutions. Furthermore, a significant portion of the alleged debt is linked to a property leased to the Jerusalem Municipality itself, creating a paradoxical situation where the municipality is both the debtor and the claimant.
Patriarchate Denies Debt Validity and Proper Notification
According to the communique, a municipal collection officer unilaterally determined an “astronomical debt” without proper justification, disregarding the statute of limitations and failing to provide clear evidence for the debt’s basis. The Patriarchate argues that demands for payment were never properly delivered within the required timeframe. Despite these contentions, the collection officer has proceeded with a foreclosure order, which the enforcement authority is bound to execute as if it were a court ruling.
Municipality’s Actions: Plaintiff, Judge, and Executor?
The Patriarchate portrays the municipality’s actions as a severe overreach, where a municipal employee acts simultaneously as the plaintiff, judge, and executor, solely in the interest of the Jerusalem Municipality. This concentration of power and lack of due process are central to the Patriarchate’s legal challenge and urgent appeal.
Concerns for Christian Communities in Jerusalem
The Armenian Patriarchate emphasizes that this foreclosure process is not merely a financial dispute but a targeted attempt to undermine its presence in the Holy Land through economic pressure. They warn that any court judgment in favor of the municipality could establish a perilous precedent, extending to other Christian communities in Jerusalem. This could profoundly impact the overall Christian presence in the Holy Land and jeopardize the religious, cultural, educational, and ministerial activities of all Christian institutions in the region.
Call for Israeli Government Intervention
In their urgent communique, the Armenian Patriarchate directly appeals to key figures in the Israeli government: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and the head of the governmental committee on Arnona issues, Minister Tzachi Hanegbi. They implore these officials to intervene decisively, immediately freeze all municipal actions against the Patriarchate, and reactivate the governmental committee established in 2018 to find an amicable resolution through negotiation.
Hearing Date: February 24, 2025
The administrative petition filed by the Armenian Patriarchate is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, February 24, 2025. The outcome of this hearing is critical, as a denial of the petition could allow the Jerusalem Municipality to seize Patriarchate properties and proceed with a public auction to recover the disputed debts. The Patriarchate views this moment as decisive for its future and the broader Christian presence in Jerusalem.
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