Greek Orthodox Patriarchate condemns Israeli land seizure in Silwan, warning of threats to Christian rights and heritage in Jerusalem.
Newsroom (19/06/2026 Gaudium Press )The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a forceful condemnation following the seizure of Church-owned land in East Jerusalem, warning that the incident poses a serious threat to Christian rights and heritage in the Holy City.
In a statement released on June 17, the Patriarchate described the June 15 takeover of land adjacent to the Monastery of Saint Onuphrius in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan as an “unlawful and illegitimate seizure” that could establish a “dangerous precedent.” The Church authority expressed alarm over what it views as an intensifying pattern of encroachments on Christian property and presence in Jerusalem.
According to the Patriarchate, Israeli authorities not only took control of the land but also forcibly removed its representative stationed at the site, confiscating his equipment. The Church further reported that trees were uprooted and that the property was sealed off with fences and gates, effectively restricting access.
“This constitutes an unlawful and illegitimate seizure of established Church property in the heart of Jerusalem,” the statement said, underscoring the symbolic and practical implications of the move.
Central to the Patriarchate’s claim is the legal status of the contested plot, identified as Parcel 6 of Block 29985. The Church maintains that this land is officially registered in its name and carries significant historical, archaeological, and religious importance. The site lies adjacent to the Monastery of Saint Onuphrius, a structure built in 1874 atop the remains of an earlier church linked to the biblical “potter’s field.”
The location holds deep religious resonance. Christian tradition associates the land with the account of Judas Iscariot, who, according to the Bible, returned thirty pieces of silver—his payment for betraying Jesus—to the Jewish priests. The coins were then used to purchase a field, later known as the potter’s field. This connection has elevated the site’s status as a place of theological reflection and historical continuity.
The monastery itself is tied to Saint Onuphrius, an ascetic believed to have journeyed from Egypt to the Holy Land during the third or fourth century. He reportedly lived in isolation in a desert cave for more than six decades, becoming a symbol of spiritual devotion and endurance in Christian tradition.
The Patriarchate also took issue with an official statement released on the day of the seizure, in which authorities claimed that state-owned land of archaeological importance had been recovered. Church leaders described this assertion as “troubling,” arguing that it disregards documented ownership and undermines the legal protections afforded to religious institutions.
Further complicating the situation is the legal rationale cited for the action. Reports indicate that the seizure may have been linked to a municipal gardening order issued on April 18, 2019. However, the Patriarchate noted that the order expired in April 2024 and argued that, even when valid, it could not justify the measures taken.
“Such an order provides no legal basis for uprooting trees, removing the lawful caretaker, sealing off Church land, or denying access to its own property,” the statement emphasized.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the Patriarchate framed the incident as part of a broader and troubling trend. It voiced “increasing concern” that developments in Silwan reflect “a wider pattern of escalating assaults aimed at weakening the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Land.” This assertion points to longstanding fears among Christian communities about shrinking demographics and growing pressures in the region.
The Church body also highlighted a reported rise in attacks against Christians and religious institutions. It cited allegations that Israeli settlers have carried out 111 incidents of violence targeting clergy, nuns, worshippers, and church communities. Among these were 35 attacks directed at churches, monasteries, and religious symbols.
Such figures, the Patriarchate suggested, illustrate a climate of hostility that is compounded by what it described as “unacceptable international tolerance.” The statement called attention to the need for greater global awareness and intervention to safeguard religious freedoms and protect sacred sites.
The dispute over the Silwan land underscores the complex intersection of religion, history, and politics in Jerusalem—a city sacred to multiple faiths and deeply contested. For the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the incident is not only a legal matter but also a test of the international community’s commitment to preserving the religious and cultural fabric of the Holy Land.
As tensions continue to simmer, Church leaders have signaled that they will pursue all available avenues to defend their claims and ensure the protection of their heritage. The outcome may carry far-reaching consequences, not only for the Patriarchate but also for the broader Christian presence in Jerusalem.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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