THERE ARE 13 Christian denominations in Jerusalem, and their adherents are concerned that, in addition to the violence and incitement they are experiencing from both Jewish and Muslim extremists, the next step will be to try to oust them from the Holy Land – where some of these denominations laid down roots centuries ago.
Within a few days after the vicious Hamas attack, patriarchs and heads of churches issued a statement advocating the cessation of all violence and activities bringing harm to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians, imploring political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue and seek lasting solutions.
In addition, the Churches for Middle East Peace noted that “the actions of Hamas and the Israeli response in Gaza in no way advance peace but rather cause loss of life and harm, grief, and devastation.”
Church leaders have another concern that is closer to home – the loss of land by unwittingly entering into agreements with straw buyers, not realizing who the real buyer may be and the true intention behind the purchase.
It happened several years ago with land belonging to the Greek Patriarchate, and it has happened again with the Armenian Patriarchate.
The question is, who’s next?
Peace Now, which usually argues on behalf of Palestinians, is now turning its attention to Jerusalem’s Armenian community.
There is growing concern over an attempt to seize one of the last undeveloped plots in the Old City for the establishment of a new settlement, writes Mauricio Lapchik of Peace Now’s external relations department, reiterating the concern expressed in April by Toronto-based Armenian journalist Hagop Hagopian. He is worried that a 99-year contract allegedly signed by the Armenian Patriarch and his right-hand man to lease the car park belonging to the Armenian Patriarchate to Danny Rubinstein, CEO of Xana Capital Group, who purportedly wants to build a super-luxury hotel on the site, will spell the end of an Armenian presence in the Old City.
Hagopian writes that in 2018, the patriarch had promised to use the land for a housing project for young Armenian couples. Querying what has happened in the interim, Hagopian is suspicious of Rubinstein’s motives and believes that instead of a hotel, he would build a housing complex for Israelis that would include two swimming pools and would reach all the way from the patriarch’s residence to the police station.
The local Armenian community, which was not consulted and fears that Rubinstein will take over other Armenian properties, is opposed to the arrangement.
The contract was apparently signed in 2021, but the community was not informed. They discovered only on November 15 of this year that something was amiss when representatives of the initiator of the project arrived, together with construction workers and heavy machinery, to begin developing the infrastructure in the parking lot.
The representatives claim to have all the necessary approvals, but the patriarch is now intent on canceling the contract. Since mid-November, community members, including the patriarch himself, have been visiting the former parking lot and actively obstructing attempts to begin construction work. Peace Now charges that the people whom the organization refers to as “the settlers” are attempting to disrupt the religious and cultural fabric of the Old City. Lapchik insists that the Israeli government must step in and halt the proceedings in what is one of the most sensitive areas in the region.
Anyone who has tried to find a parking spot in the Old City knows how difficult this is. Once the Armenian lot disappears, parking will become even more difficult.
There is only one bus that actually enters the Old City. It’s a minibus that runs approximately every 20 minutes and stops outside the Tower of David, within relatively easy walking distance to places in the Christian Quarter. The last stop near another car park, and the beginning of Chabad Street, is still quite a walk from the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Western Wall. There is also a parking lot near the Zion Gate and another by the Dung Gate.
Building education in residential complexes
■ RETIREMENT HOMES that are built on top of or adjacent to shopping malls have been around for a long time in Israel, including in Jerusalem, though this does not apply to all.
It was a good idea 30 years ago and is an even better idea nowadays when people are living much longer.
It gives residents of retirement homes, or assisted living facilities much more independence and integration. It means they can go shopping whenever they feel like it, and have easy access to coffee shops, clothing stores, supermarkets, and other commercial enterprises. In addition, they are fully integrated into a society of different age groups and interests.
But now there’s another development on the way – a five-floor learning center that forms part of a 32-story residential complex.
In haredi circles, there’s nothing unusual about having a kindergarten, a primary school, or a yeshiva as part of a residential complex, but the Pardes Institute, which will be the educational component of Pardes Heights, will cater mainly to adults.
Designed by Matti Rosenshine, the building includes a spa, sauna, swimming pool, and gym. Apartments vary in size, with one to six bedrooms. Within the Pardes Institute, which takes up the first five floors, there is also a theater-style auditorium.
Located in southern Baka, it is within easy walking distance of Hebron Road, Emek Refaim, and the First Station. It is also close to shops, restaurants, entertainment, and public transportation.
It will take a while for the project to be completed, and it would not be a surprise if apartment buyers include Pardes teachers and students
Calls to stop funding universities that condone antisemitism
■ FROM JERUSALEM, the call by Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization, has gone out to Jewish philanthropists worldwide to stop funding institutions of higher education that condone antisemitism and attacks on Jewish students on campus.
The request has received overwhelming support.
Hagoel has received phone calls from Jewish leaders from around the globe commending him on his initiative.
Christian friends of Israel have also expressed their support and have pledged to be included. Hagoel’s post on the World Zionist Organization’s Facebook page has received almost 3,000 likes.
Meanwhile, Jewish student leaders in so-called democratic countries are chastising the presidents of their universities for permitting hate speech, incitement, and violence against Jews, as well as pernicious graffiti.
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