Christian leaders unite against Mayor of Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s mayor claims he is trying to solve a tax dispute that has led to the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and other Christian leaders on Sunday closed the church to protest against Mayor Nir Barkat’s decision to force them to pay property taxes.
Mr Barkat said the taxes applied only to “commercial properties” owned by the churches and not houses of worship.
Church officials said that they had been blindsided by the decision, but Mr Barkat said the tax rule was in line with practices common around the world.
Lebanon yesterday threw its support behind the Christian leaders in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the church was rightfully defying measures by the Israeli government.
“We are in solidarity with Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine, and its people to protect Christian presence in the holy city,” Mr Hariri wrote on his Twitter account yesterday.
Christian officials said the church would remain locked indefinitely to pressure Israel to reverse its tax decision, and a bill that would make it easier to expropriate church land.
Churches fear the expropriation bill will make it harder for them to sell their property, the proceeds of which are crucial to church activities.
Dozens of disappointed pilgrims gathered outside the church on Monday.