Jerusalem Municipality Freezes Patriarchate of Jerusalem's Bank Accounts
Decision allegedly made over a tax dispute which has lasted for several years.
JERUSALEM — According to reporting from The Times of Israel, the Municipality of Jerusalem has frozen bank accounts belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in response to a years-long tax dispute.
The municipality alleged today that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem had ignored letters from the city about its tax debts. The Patriarchate had previously stated that dialogue was ongoing and that the municipality "acted despite reassurances that no such unilateral measures would be implemented."
The group "Protecting Holy Land Christians," founded by Patriarch Theophilos III, said that the churches "fulfill vital roles by maintaining educational, welfare, and charitable institutions that serve the local population whether Christian or not."
Because of this, the churches have never paid municipal or governmental taxes, the group said. Now, Protecting Holy Land Christians says the Patriarchate is unable to pay salaries to its clergy, teachers, and staff. In September, a case is also scheduled to be brought against the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem.
The State of Israel previously maintained an agreement with the churches that had prevented the municipality from collecting property tax from Christian institutions. That agreement was altered in 2018 when the municipality decided that the exemption applied only to properties used "for prayer, for the teaching of religion or for needs arising from that."
Due to this change, the municipality began to seeks payment on other church properties - resulting in allegations of tens of millions in unpaid shekels.
This situation reached a head when then-mayor Nir Barkat froze several churches' bank accounts in Jerusalem resulting in the Patriarchate's decision to close down the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for three days in protest. After intervention from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the municipality backed down.
Previously, UOJ reported that Patriarch Theophilos III highlighted the mission of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to guard the Holy Places, which testify to the resurrection, and to foster unity among Christ’s followers.
