The Armenian quarter, the smallest among
Jerusalem's Old City quarters, is currently experiencing an existential crisis that threatens
the very presence of Armenians in the historic area.
اضافة اعلان
The crisis is allegedly being orchestrated by their own
religious leadership, various media outlets reported.
Lawyers working to halt the deal have revealed that a
99-year lease agreement has been signed by the Armenian Patriarchate, which
will transfer up to 25 percent of the quarter's land to a commercial entity.
Reports suggest that the intention behind the deal is to
construct a luxury hotel on a prime real estate spot, presently a parking lot
nestled within the Old City walls.
Long standing history
The Armenian community has a long-standing history in
Jerusalem, with their settlement dating back over 1,600 years.
Their presence expanded significantly in the early 20th
century as Armenians sought refuge from the Ottoman Empire's genocide. However,
over the past century, the Armenian population in the quarter has significantly
declined.
This property emerges at a time when Christian Armenians
feel increasingly squeezed by Jewish extremists and the ongoing Israeli
occupation.
A severe threat
Despite few individuals having access to the actual contract
and their reluctance to disclose its worth, lawyers and residents opposing the
deal assert that it poses a severe threat to not only homes but also
significant Armenian cultural heritage sites, including the Armenian heritage
museum and cemetery within the quarter.
The controversy surrounding this real estate deal has
resulted in a rift within the Armenian community, with protesters organizing
regular demonstrations. Armenian residents and supporters have even formed
human chains around the section of the quarter allegedly affected by the deal.
Speculation regarding the lessee led to the discovery of a
sign on the parking lot displaying the name "Xana Capital".
Baret Yeretsian, a former priest and Real Estate Manager for
the patriarchate, identified Xana Capital and its chairman Danny Rothman as the
lessee. Yeretsian claimed that the contract, signed in 2021, aimed to secure
future financial stability for the patriarchate.
Photographs provided by Yeretsian reportedly depict the
signing ceremony, featuring Rothman, Yeretsian, Patriarch Nourhan Manougian,
and the patriarch's deputy, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian.
However, the authenticity and timing of these photos could
not be independently verified reported CNN.
Yeretsian, who left Jerusalem for the US under the
patriarch's request, faced angry protestors upon his departure, angered by the
deal. He maintains that he acted on the patriarch's orders and feels he is
being made a scapegoat.
A threat to unity
While some residents express indifference toward the
identity of the lessee, the Armenian lawyers investigating the situation
emphasize that the issue extends beyond commercial purposes.
They view it as a threat to the unity and indivisibility of
the Armenian community within the Old City, urging collective action to prevent
the deal's execution.
The fallout from the community has garnered attention from
the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, who have withdrawn recognition of the
patriarch due to the real estate deal. The absence of the patriarch from the
community has fueled further concern among residents.
During a ceremony at St. James' cathedral, the Patriarch's
absence was notable, with his deputy, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian, confirming
the existence of the deal but claiming efforts are underway to cancel it.
Gharibian defended the patriarch's limited response to the matter, stating that
not every question or discussion should be addressed publicly to protect
ongoing efforts.
Many residents believe that the actions of the patriarchate
prioritize financial gain over the preservation of Armenian heritage and
community.
Amidst growing attacks by extremist Jewish settlers
targeting Christians in Jerusalem, Armenians see this real estate sale as
further endangering the Christian presence in the city. The escalating tensions
and changes in Israeli policy have emboldened Jewish extremists, altering the
city's shape and character.
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