The State Of Israel Has Conceded To Withdraw From Its Intention To Seize A Large Portion Of The Baro

Following negotiations between the representatives of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in Israel, the Ministry of Defence of the State of Israel has conceded to withdraw from its intention to seize a large portion of the Baron-Der property, for the purpose of structuring a security fence between Jerusalem and the north part of Bethlehem.

THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE
Real Estate Department

Contact person: Fr. Pakrad Bourjekian

Tel / Fax: 972-26271079
Email: armre@netvision.net.il

PRESS RELEASE (COMMUNIQUÉ 3)

THE STATE OF ISRAEL HAS CONCEDED TO WITHDRAW FROM ITS INTENTION TO SEIZE A LARGE PORTION OF THE BARON-DER PROPERTY

Following negotiations between the representatives of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in Israel, the Ministry of Defence of the State of Israel has conceded to withdraw from its intention to seize a large portion of the Baron-Der property, for the purpose of structuring a security fence between Jerusalem and the north part of Bethlehem.

The Baron-Der property consists of about 143 (36 acres) dunams of agricultural land cultivated with olive trees (1600 trees), antiquities and the ancient tombs. Baron-Der has been for generations a centre by the Armenian Patriarchate for devotion and hermitages.

In May 2002, the State of Israel announced it would construct a security fence between Jerusalem and the Aida refugee Camp, located at the north part of Bethlehem, in a route that would split the Baron-Der property and render it impossible for use.

Following negotiations, the State of Israel conceded to relocate the route of the fence, and the possession of the Baron-Der property was given back to the Armenian Patriarchate, except for a stripe at the southern edge of the property, to be temporarily used for security and defence purposes.

The State of Israel has acknowledged the right of the Armenian Patriarchate to have free access to the Baron-Der property, in order to cultivate the land and the olive trees, the right of free pilgrimage to the property and the right to perform religious services.  The State of Israel has also agreed to compensate the Armenian Patriarchate for the damages caused.

The Armenian Patriarchate, for all the moral support rendered in the issue of Baron-Der, expresses its appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, to the Hierarchical Heads of the Armenian Orthodox Church, to the Diocesan Leaders, to the Armenian and non-Armenian organizations, and especially to His Holiness the Pope John-Paul II and His Holiness Alexy II, the Patriarch of all Russia, who at the request of His Holiness the Catholicos of all Armenia, prayed for the peaceful settlement of the issue.

26 November 2002
Jerusalem

Real Estate Department of the Armenian Patriarchate

*   *   *