Israel Fences Greek Orthodox Church Land in Silwan

Overview

• The Jerusalem municipality, supported by Israeli police, removed a Patriarchate representative, fenced and cleared a registered church plot in Silwan in an operation that took place on Monday.
• Deputy mayor Arieh King said the site was cleared of an unauthorized occupant and will be restored for a municipal road and opened as part of the City of David national park.
• The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate says the plot is church-owned, calls the move an unlawful seizure, has filed a lawsuit to regain access, and has appealed for international intervention.
• Human Rights Watch warned that accelerating demolitions and forced evictions in Silwan can violate international humanitarian law and that forcible transfer of an occupied population can amount to a war crime.
• The dispute fits a longer pattern of settler-linked development and municipal actions in Silwan tied to the Elad-run King’s Garden/City of David project and has heightened concerns about the loss of Palestinian and Christian property and presence since October 2023.