Archbishop Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of Sebastia, stated in an exclusive interview with Salt of the Earth that the freezing of the bank accounts of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem is an extremely dangerous matter, falling within a broader plan to pressure churches and Christian institutions.
The Archbishop explained that Israel’s recent actions against the Orthodox Church are a reaction to the visit made a few weeks ago by His Beatitude the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and His Beatitude the Latin Patriarch to Gaza, where they issued a call to stop the war of extermination. “It seems that the Israeli occupation authorities are disturbed by these positions, and it also seems they do not want churches to take such stances. Therefore, they seek to blackmail and pressure the churches in this way and by such means,” he said.
Issa Musleh, spokesperson for the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, had earlier confirmed that the Israeli authorities froze the Church’s bank accounts, which will prevent it from carrying out its duties. He stressed that this decision violates the existing historical and religious status quo related to the holy sites. He also noted that the heads of the churches are currently in session to discuss how to respond to and confront the Israeli decision.
According to Fr. Issa Musleh, the Israeli authorities froze the Patriarchate’s accounts and imposed exorbitant taxes on its properties, describing this as an attempt to alter Jerusalem’s identity and erase its religious and cultural character, warning of an unprecedented assault targeting the churches in the Holy Land.
Archbishop Atallah Hanna told Salt of the Earth that the occupation authorities are targeting the entire city of Jerusalem—its holy sites, religious endowments, and the lives of its people in every detail. He stressed that Islamic and Christian holy sites alike are under attack.
He continued, saying that the official and popular Christian stance regarding the war on Gaza is clear—it calls for ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and stopping the war. “We cannot be neutral or silent about what is happening, because silence in this case is complicity in the crime. The Christian voice must be raised to demand an end to this war and this suffering.”
He added: “I believe that the policy of pressure and blackmail will fail just as it has failed in the past. This is not the first time churches have been treated in this way, and it will not be the last. But what is certain is that our churches and Christian institutions cannot be subdued by blackmail and pressure; they will continue to uphold their Christian, spiritual, humanitarian, and national mission.”
The Archbishop expressed his strong rejection and condemnation of these measures, saying: “I assure you that we reject and denounce these pressures and blackmail, and we call for them to stop. The sanctity and special status of religious institutions in Jerusalem—both Islamic and Christian—must be respected. We also know very well that the holy sites in Jerusalem are a priority for King Abdullah II, who follows these issues closely and always defends the historic Christian presence in this Holy Land.”
Archbishop Hanna concluded his remarks to Salt of the Earth: “Israel must understand that Christians in this land, just like all Palestinians, are not passersby, not guests of anyone, nor imported goods from here or there. We are the indigenous people of this land, the very land from which Christianity emerged. Here Jesus Christ was born, established His Church, and served all of humanity.”
By milhilard.org
