Leaders of major Christian churches have accused Israeli authorities of launching a "coordinated attack" on the Christian presence in the Holy Land by initiating tax proceedings against them.
This move, they argue, disrupts a centuries-old status quo and indicates growing intolerance towards the small Christian community in the region.
The controversy arose after four municipalities in Israel reportedly sent warning letters to church officials, threatening legal action if property taxes were not paid. This prompted the heads of the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox churches to write to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing their concern and opposition.
"We believe these efforts represent a coordinated attack on the Christian presence in the Holy Land," the church leaders stated in their letter. "In this time, when the whole world, and the Christian world in particular, are constantly following the events in Israel, we find ourselves, once again, dealing with an attempt by authorities to drive the Christian presence out of the Holy Land."
Israeli officials have attempted to downplay the issue, characterising it as a routine financial matter. However, the church leaders view it as a significant threat to the delicate balance that has allowed Christians to maintain a presence in the region for centuries.
Christians constitute a tiny minority in Israel and the Palestinian territories, representing less than 2% of the population. According to the U.S. State Department, there are approximately 182,000 Christians in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and 1,300 in Gaza, the majority of whom are Palestinians.
Read more: Greek Orthodox Church
(Source: AP)
