Christians’ holiest church still closed over Israeli tax claims
▶ Closure risks turning into a public relations fiasco for Israel two months after US says Jerusalem is Israel capital
One of the holiest sites in Christianity remained closed for the second day in a row yesterday, as pilgrims gathered in improvised prayer area outside the building.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, buried and then resurrected, locked its doors on perplexed pilgrims and tourist.
The move follows attempts by the Israeli authorities to enforce tax collection on church property they consider commercial, saying exemptions only apply to places of worship or religious teaching. Christian leaders also say that legislation being considered by Israel’s government would allow church property to be expropriated.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, European Union and Arab League countries insisted that Jerusalem must be the joint capital of Israel and a future Palestinian state.
US President Donald Trump angered the Arab world by officially declaring the city to be the capital of Israel, although the Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Speaking after talks yesterday between EU and Arab League foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the “special status and character of the city must be preserved”.
Ms Mogherini said the two blocs also agreed that there could only be a two-state solution to the conflict, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.
The talks come as Washington prepares to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to a scaleddown, temporary mission that will open in Jerusalem in May.
Dozens of disappointed pilgrims gathered outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre yesterday as it remained closed for the second day in a row.
Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian church leaders announced an indefinite closure of the church on Sunday to protest against a bill that would enable the Israeli state to expropriate land sold by churches as well as a new policy of the Jerusalem municipality to levy taxes on churchowned commercial properties.
Churches fear the expropriation bill will make it harder for them to sell their property, the proceeds of which are vital to church activities. The new tax is also regarded as a financial blow to the churches.
Sri Lankan caregiver Anusha Nimini came to the church – the site where it is believed Jesus was crucified and resurrected – as she does every week, to light candles.
“I had no idea it would be closed. When will it open?” she said. She prayed against the backdrop of the huge, shuttered wooden doors, asking God to help her ailing mother.
“I know something is wrong here, but I prayed outside and I feel good,” she said.
“This is a shame, I’ve come a long way and the church is part of the pilgrimage,” said Adam Lowe, a university student from London. “I’m Catholic and I wanted to pray,” he said. “But I can understand the position the church is taking.”
Nidal Aboud, 24, from Jerusalem’s Old City, sat slumped against the door of the church. He said he would wait there until it opens.
“I’m not happy,” he said. “Israel is trying to have hegemony over the church. The church belongs to the believers, not Israel.”
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat said that assessing the tax was a matter of equal enforcement of the law.
But the closure risks turning into a major public relations fiasco for Israel just two months after it secured US recognition of Jerusalem as its capital.
Traditionally it has tried to project an image of being benevolent to Christian communities to buttress its claim of sovereignty over all Jerusalem.
“Of course there should not be these taxes,” said the Reverend Canon John L Peterson, former secretary general of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
“These churches provide real social services such as hospitals and schools and these policies will harm their ability to do that. The status quo should be maintained.”
Israeli backers of the expropriation legislation say it is necessary to protect homeowners against the possibility that private companies will not extend their leases. Father Jamal Khader, the Roman Catholic parish priest of Ramallah in the West Bank, termed the closure “a call for the international community and churches to do something to protect holy places in East Jerusalem and preserve the Christian community and churches”.
He noted that Jordan, which according to peace agreements with Israel is the custodian of Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem, had urged Israel to drop the new tax measures.
Mohammed Momani, a government spokesman, said that Jordan rejected Israel’s attempt to “alter the historical and legal status quo” in East Jerusalem’s holy sites – including Muslim and Christian properties and endowments.
Those measures breach international and humanitarian laws, he said, according to Jordan’s Petra News Agency.
“They target the historical Christian presence in Jerusalem, a major component of the holy land,” Mr Momani said.
He urged the Israeli government to “immediately reverse the decision taken against churches”.
Mr Momani also said that Jordan would continue its efforts “to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinians and to protect holy sites as well as preserve the historical status of Jerusalem”.
Christian leaders in Jordan said they also rejected the Israeli initiatives.
Bishop Yasser Ayyash, of the Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarchate in Jerusalem, said: “We reject those measures that are harmful to Jerusalem, to the holy land, hurt the pilgrimage and undermine the message of peace and love.”
Boulos Haddad, pastor at St George Greek Melkite Catholic Church in the town of Fuheis, said that all the churches unanimously reject this “arbitrary” decision.
“The churches are Christian endowments and have never paid taxes before. They all stand united against this measure,” he said.