The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has expressed concern over what it describes as the seizure of Church-owned land in the Silwan district of East Jerusalem following an Israeli operation carried out on June 15.

In a statement issued today, the Patriarchate said its representative in the area had been removed from the site, equipment had been confiscated, trees uprooted and fencing installed around the property. The Patriarchate said the land in question is registered in its name and lies adjacent to the Monastery of St Onuphrius.

The Patriarchate said the seizure “constitutes an unlawful and illegitimate seizure of established Church property in the heart of Jerusalem”.

It also questioned the legal basis for the operation, arguing that reliance on a municipal gardening order issued in April 2019 was insufficient because (according to the Church) the order expired in April 2024. The Greek Church asserted the municipal ordinance “provides no lawful basis for uprooting trees, removing the lawful caretaker, sealing off Church land, or denying the Patriarchate access to its own property”.

It described the site as possessing historical, archaeological and religious significance. Church officials also objected to reports characterising the operation as the “recovery of state land” of archaeological importance.

The statement further linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of pressure on Christian communities in the Holy Land. The Patriarchate said that attacks against Christians and churches had increased in recent years and cited figures claiming that 111 incidents affecting clergy, Religious, worshippers and Church communities were recorded during 2024, including 35 involving churches, monasteries or religious symbols.

The Patriarchate also referred to the October 2023 strike on the compound of St Porphyrius Church in Gaza and the July 2025 strike on Holy Family Catholic Church, which it said resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.

Describing the protection of Church property as a spiritual, cultural and historical imperative, the Patriarchate said respect for religious freedom required respect for property rights, holy places and Jerusalem’s Christian presence.

The Church said it had initiated legal proceedings seeking to regain access to the land and called on the international community to engage with the relevant authorities over the dispute.