Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Urges Israeli Prime Minister to Intervene in Tax Dispute

JERUSALEM – The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, has sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Arnona (municipal tax) dispute, according to Father Aghan Gogchyan, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

In the letter, the Patriarch urges the Prime Minister to intervene, halt the actions taken by the Jerusalem Municipality against the Armenian Patriarchate, and resume meetings with the government committee appointed to resolve the issue.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is facing an imminent foreclosure of its historic properties due to a disputed municipal tax debt allegedly accrued since 1994. If the court rejects the Patriarchate’s appeal on February 24, 2025, the municipality is expected to seize and auction off Armenian Church properties that have been owned for centuries.

The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued a joint statement expressing their unwavering solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate in its pursuit of justice against what they describe as an unjust foreclosure order by the Jerusalem Municipality.

“The actions taken against the Armenian Patriarchate, based on an unverified and exorbitant Arnona tax debt, are legally dubious and morally unacceptable,” the statement reads.

“It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, which have safeguarded faith, served communities, and preserved the sacred heritage of the Holy Land for centuries, should now face the threat of property seizure under Israeli administrative measures that disregard due process. Particularly alarming is the municipality’s attempt to enforce a debt determination without judicial scrutiny, in defiance of the governmental committee established to negotiate such matters in good faith. This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a dangerous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land,” the church leaders stated.

They further emphasized that such actions undermine religious freedom, the foundation of all other rights, by depriving the Orthodox Armenian Church of the economic resources necessary to sustain its mission and serve the local Armenian community.

“The targeting of one Church is an assault on all, and we cannot remain silent while the foundations of our Christian witness in the land of Christ’s ministry are shaken. We call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to immediately intervene, freeze all foreclosure proceedings, and ensure that negotiations resume within the designated governmental committee to reach an amicable resolution in the spirit of justice,” the statement concludes.