#HolyLand – Israeli authorities raided and took control of land owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Silwan neighborhood on June 15, according to a strongly worded statement released by the Church on Wednesday. The operation involved the forcible removal of a Church representative, confiscation of equipment, uprooting of trees, and installation of fencing around the site.
The Patriarchate described the incident as an “unlawful and illegitimate seizure” of its legally registered property, known as Parcel 6 of Block 29985. The plot lies adjacent to the ancient Monastery of St. Onuphrius and holds historical, archaeological, and religious significance. Church officials rejected Israeli claims that the action recovered state land, noting that it relied on an expired 2019 municipal gardening order that ended in April 2024.
In its statement, the Patriarchate said the raid formed part of a broader pattern of pressures on Christian institutions in Jerusalem and Gaza. It highlighted previous incidents, including Israeli army strikes on churches in Gaza in 2023 and 2025, and recorded 111 attacks or acts of violence against Christian clergy, nuns, worshippers, and sites in 2024 alone. The Church has initiated legal proceedings to regain access and called on the international community to intervene to protect the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem home to around 20,000 residents, has long been a flashpoint for tensions involving Israeli settler groups, municipal policies, and property disputes. The area has seen repeated evictions, demolitions, and development projects often linked to archaeological or biblical heritage initiatives favored by Israeli authorities.
Jerusalem expert Daniel Seidemann, founder of Terrestrial Jerusalem, described the move as “blatantly illegal,” suggesting it aided settler interests through municipal action. No immediate official response from Israeli authorities was available in reports on the incident.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, one of the oldest Christian institutions in the region, maintains extensive properties in Jerusalem. Similar disputes have arisen in the past, including a 2022 settler takeover of another Church-owned plot in Silwan that drew international criticism, including from the European Union.
The latest development comes amid ongoing sensitivities over land, holy sites, and the status of religious communities in Jerusalem. The Patriarchate emphasized that respect for property rights and the dignity of Christian heritage remains essential to any vision of peace in the city. Legal proceedings are underway, and the situation continues to unfold.
Cover Image: Silwan neighborhood in December 2022.
Images from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the illegal seizure of land in Silwas on June 15th.
