churches in Occupied East Jerusalem are worried about rise of Attacks by Israeli extremists on Christian properties in the city.
current f former Church officials told Anadolu Agency (AA) that attacks are frequent on Christian property It ended without punishing the perpetrators.
On Sunday, Israeli extremists destroyed 30 graves with Crosses dropped into a Christian cemetery belonging to the Evangelical Episcopal Church in East Jerusalem.
The Israeli Ministry of External condemns work of Vandalism at Mount Zion Protestant Cemetery in Jerusalem” Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Tweet on Wednesday.
Date of assaults
On December 27, 2022, dozens of The 5,000-square-meter (53,820 sq ft) plot of land was stormed by settlers. of Earth in Sloane South of The Old City of Jerusalem, under the Israeli police protection.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate condemned the settlers’ raid, describing it as “aclear infringement on Its characteristics in Jerusalem.
“This is radical group It has no right or judicial support in favor to allow “To enter or occupy the land,” he said. in Permit.
Patriarchate indicated fact that two years ago, a settler association attempted to take over the Imperial and Little Petra hotels in Omar bin Al-Khattab Square in old City of Jerusalem.
Conviction awaiting punishment
the former bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holy Land Munib Younan said: attack on Cemetery tell history of Lutherans since the nineteenth century century Evidence of The hatred of attackers.”
during his interview with AA, Jonah said attack on The cemetery is unacceptable should Not only is he condemned but the perpetrators must also is being punished. “
He stressed that the aggressors “aimed to seize the Hebron Gate by seizing the Imperial Hotel and Petra, which will lead to control of local f international Christian pilgrimage to church of Holy Sepulcher in old City.”
intentional narrowing
The recent attacks are not limited to property of Lutheran Church, however also th included property of Other Christian denominations, including those owned by the Greek Orthodox Church.
A spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Father Issa Musleh, said: attack churches and monasteries, just as they are attack The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Our Muslim brothers are under the same attacks as we are cause himself ” added.
attributed increase decline in Numbers of Christians in The holy land in Part of the Christian feeling that they are being targeted by extremists.
Father called Musleh on Return of Christians to their lands to face “targeting” of settlers,” indicating that they are harassing us for offset usBut we will remain Until the establishment of the Palestinian state with establishing Jerusalem as its capital.
Musleh said: Attendance of far right government in Israel no scare Just us But all world. “
against unknown
Over the years, Wadih Abu Nassar, the official spokesperson for the Council of heads of Catholic churches in Jerusalem along with And the Israeli authorities followed suit up on Many attacks.
“We are not talking about individual attacks, but dozens of attacks over the past A few years, more of that have been recorded against unknown persons.”
“This matter cannot be accepted,” Abu Nassar said. added. “Advanced security services must be used to stop hate crimes and bring perpetrators to justice justice. “
to caution against the development of attacks in the future and their sins of cemeteries.
“Continuation of attacks will lead Because their perpetrators believe they are untouchable, and their attacks will not end with Abu Nassar said, “Tombs.”
he also pointing to out “Hate crimes stem from an education problem,” he added. “A radical solution is needed.”
aggravated attacks
Abu Nassar narrated examples of how The Israeli authorities take it lightly with hate crimes
in the case of the attack on the church of the cave of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, the aggressor was arrested, then declared that he was mentally ill,” stressing: “The Israeli authorities are behaving strangely.” with such crimes. If the assault is documented through cameras, the authorities say the faces are blurred, and when the abusers are caught, they are almost always mentally ill.”
“I’m not rule out That the Christian presence is targeted, according to some Jewish fundamentalists, the Christian is enemy. There are ideological dimensions, no just political, just As I do not rule out hatred between some added.
