Israeli authorities have frozen all bank accounts of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem over a long-standing property tax dispute, escalating tensions with Christian institutions in the city, local media reported on Thursday.
According to Protecting Holy Land Christians – a group founded by Patriarch Theophilos III – the freeze has left the Patriarchate unable to pay salaries to clergy, teachers, and staff.
The action, which took effect on August 6, follows the Jerusalem Municipality’s bid to collect Arnona, a property tax, on church-owned sites used for non-religious purposes such as guesthouses and coffee shops.
The municipality said the measure was taken “because [the Patriarchate] failed to settle its property tax debts for assets not used as houses of worship,” adding: “This was done despite efforts at dialogue and engagement with them, and in light of their ignoring letters from the municipality demanding payment.”
Churches in Jerusalem had long been exempt from such taxes, but in 2018 the exemption was restricted to properties used solely for worship, religious teaching, or related purposes. The move has left the Patriarchate facing demands for tens of millions of shekels in back taxes.
The dispute mirrors a 2018 standoff when then-mayor Nir Barkat ordered the freezing of church accounts, prompting a three-day closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before intervention by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended the impasse.
Since then, tensions have periodically resurfaced over specific properties and activities.
Source: AA
