Jerusalem – In a new wave of religious tensions in Jerusalem, leaders of the main Christian churches have vocally opposed what they perceive as a «coordinated attack» by Israeli authorities. This uproar follows recent tax measures imposed on church properties, disrupting a long-standing status quo and highlighting a growing intolerance towards the Christian minority in the region.
In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, heads of the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox churches expressed alarm over warning letters from four Israeli municipalities. These letters demand taxes on church properties and threaten legal action for non-compliance. The church leaders argue these measures aim to reduce the Christian presence in the Holy Land deliberately.
«These efforts represent a coordinated attack on the Christian presence in the Holy Land,» wrote the religious leaders, emphasizing that the global Christian community is closely monitoring developments in Israel. They suggested this move could be seen as an attempt to drive out the Christian community.
Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories are a small minority, making up less than 2% of the population. According to the U.S. State Department, there are approximately 182,000 Christians in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and 1,300 in Gaza, predominantly of Palestinian descent.
Historically, church properties have been tax-exempt, allowing funds to be directed towards essential public services like schools, hospitals, and homes for the elderly. However, the municipalities of Tel Aviv, Ramla, Nazareth, and Jerusalem now demand back taxes, citing a lack of recent tax exemption applications by the churches.
Municipal authorities maintain that this is a routine financial issue. The Jerusalem municipality, speaking to The Associated Press, stated it is negotiating with the churches to collect debts on their commercial properties. It remains unclear whether these tax actions were coordinated among the municipalities or merely coincidental.
This dispute is not without precedent. In 2018, Christian leaders temporarily closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of Christianity’s holiest sites, in protest against previous tax attempts by Israeli authorities. They argued that taxing properties like pilgrim hostels and information centers violated religious practices, as these sites serve essential religious and cultural purposes.
Under mounting pressure, Israeli media reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu has temporarily suspended the tax claims, providing a brief reprieve for the churches. Despite this, tensions remain high, and the Christian community stays vigilant against any future attempts by Israeli authorities to impose financial burdens on their properties.
By ELIZABETH OWENS | ZENIT News
