ISRAEL SAID TO SEIZE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE LAND NEAR BETHLEH

[MosJan]

ISRAEL SAID TO SEIZE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE LAND NEAR BETHLEHEM

 

Over the past few days, the Israeli army has seized lands and properties belonging to the Armenian Patriarchate in the Barun Dayr area north of the Ayidah refugee camp in Bethlehem and south of Al-Tantur on the pretext of erecting the separation fence between the Palestinian areas and Jerusalem, the Jerusalem0-based Al-Quds Arabic language newspaper reported.

 

Maj-Gen Yitzhaq Eytan, the military commander of the West Bank, and Defense Ministry Director Gen Amos Yaron issued military orders confiscating the Patriarchate lands. Mazin Qubati, the Patriarchate's attorney, told Al-Quds that these measures are aimed at seizing the Patriarchate's headquarters, which is used for worship, and turn it into the Israeli army's headquarters.

 

He said that the Patriachate's representatives held intensive contacts over the past two weeks with the Israeli Defense Ministry and army in a bid to convince them to annul the military orders, but they have not agreed. He added that as a result of the intransigent Israeli position and the dead end reached in the negotiations on the matter, the Patriarchate decided to petition the Israeli High Court of Justice to revoke the orders and appeal to local and international public opinion. He affirmed the Patriarchate's total rejection of a separation fence running through its lands.

 

 

© Copyright AZG

[MosJan]

YEREVAN CAREFULLY OBSERVES ON EVENTS CONCERNED WITH ALIENATION OF JERUSALEM ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE LAND

16.07.2002

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan carefully observes on the events in Israel concerned with alienation of land belonging to the Armenian patriarchate of Jerusalem. Armenian MFA press secretary Dzyunik Aghajanian has stated that regarding the information on seizure of the Armenian patriarchate's land by the Israeli Army. According to her, at present, the work with Israeli authorities to find out the real situation as well as the reasons and aims of the activities of the Israeli Army are conducted through diplomatic channels. It should be reminded that the military authorities of Israel have stated about their plan to erect a separation wall between Palestine and Israel in that territory.

 

Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

[Accelerated]

Let them do as they wish, because every such step (confiscation of property from others) brings them closer to their demise.

[Arpa]

There is a saying that loosely translates;

"When the dog senses its imminent demise, or when the dog is overcome with a deathwish it soils at the door of a church/mosque"

[Rubo]

The impression I get is that Armenia does not have a solid mechanism to protect its interests in Jerusalem and Washington. Our patriarchi deserves our support and no way I will settle for unjust confiscation of our properties and lands in Israel. They have been confiscating Arab lands for years and this practice is not new! Interestingly Israeli Occupiers in West bank and Gaza are called settlers! How absurd. They go and occupy a land, build mini island states within sea of Arabs and they are called peace-loving Settlers. This is another twist of ironies of media brainwashing.

Voghjuin bolorin Argishti

[TigrannesIII]

that's one of the things that has always interested me. Armenians take back Artsakh, we're aggressors, Jews instigate wars and they're settlers, like the pilgrims or something.

[joseph]

I wish Hagarag gets envolved in this discussion.Aren't you guys woried that you might be called'jew Haters' or 'Anti Sematiks'or even 'Arab lovers'.When they take land from the Plestinians it is in self defence,and if any one fights them he is a "Teghoghist" the way 'Sharon' pronounse the word 'Terorist',they are peace lovers specialy'Sharon'who will take the West Bank and kick the whole pupulation out to Jordan because he loves peace????

[edward demian]

Is seems to me that we may have made some chices in the past that may have brought us to this. As Armenians we should have clearly stayed newtral in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Yet, it seems that the Armenian community in Jerusalem has been aligning itself with the palestinians. Perhaps we are begining to see the fruit of that mistake. The Jews are there to stay. Whether you like Jews or not, you have to admire their success in getting their lands back. We have real estate in Jerusalem and Bethlehem but not the population to support it. We should relocate some Armenian refugees from other parts of the world to those lands in order to solidify our hold on them.

The Armenian government should become more proactive in these kinds of affairs. Perhaps establish a "Department of Diasporan Affairs", with Cabinet level staus. Right mow we are faint screams in the dark. If we get sucked into this conflict we will loose. Even if the Palestinians were to win, and we ended up on the winning side, we will still loose in the long run, because the majority of the Palestinians are Moslems, and there is no future with the Moslems for the Armenians.

[khodja]

There was a photo about a year ago showing Torkom Manoogian walking arm-in-arm with Arafat. Then Arafat stating that the Armenians and Palestinians are "one people." We choose to supress the scientific studies that show that WE and the Kurds are closer to the Jews than all other peoples on earth, with the exception of a small African tribe. So, if we claim to be "one" with the Palestinians, we will be treated as the Palestinians are treated.

[joseph]

Edward,you should be the example and ride the white horse and leed the Armenian Refugies there,it is easy to ask other people to do what you think is right whithout being in their shoose.

[Accelerated]

I also think we should stay neutral in this conflict, we certainly have many more pressing issues and we dont need another.

[joseph]

Edward,please give me one example in those hundreds of years of Arab rull in the Holyland that the Arabs saized any land or churches or homes that belong to Armenians.After the otomans lost to the Arabs they never touch any thing that belong to Armenians as far as i know,please correct me if i am wrong.

[MosJan]

JERUSALEM’S ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE TO APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL INSTANCES

 

‘Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin closely watches the developments taking place in Israel connected with the recent attempt of the Israeli army to seize the lands that belong to Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and is well informed about the process of the legal proceedings being held at Israel’s court concerning the matter.

 

All Armenian Catholicos Karekin II frequently contacts the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Torgom Manukian and receives updated information about the situation in Jerusalem’,- says the July 22 news release issued by the press office of St. Etchmiadzin.

 

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem had not issued a corresponding statement concerning the incident up to late night of July 22, so we were unable to find out what decision the Israeli court had made on the issue.

 

Last weekend the Israeli foreign ministry sent an explanation letter to Armenia foreign ministry as an answer to official Yerevan’s inquiry into the matter. According to Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian the Israeli authorities are at present negotiating with the Armenian Patriarchate and hopefully they will come to a mutually acceptable decision.

 

Below we give the news issued in the online Armenian News Network Groong on the matter:

 

Kirkor Baronder was one of the more renowned Patriarchs of Jerusalem who was the builder of the Armenian Monastery near the Church of Nativity. He was a great figure in the monasticism of the Holy Land and established his hermitage on the premises of the `Baron Der' land in question.

 

The Armenian Patriarchate purchased the olive orchard in 1641. On the premises of this land is found the summer residence of the Armenian Patriarch, which also serves as the summer spiritual retreat for the Armenian clergy and the seminarians. On the premises are also found the cave cells of the hermits and 20 other man-made caves used by monks in the early Christian period. The area of the land is 28 acres (150,000 sq. meters) and has 1800 olive trees, many of them of old age.

 

The Israeli authorities, without the consulting and knowledge of the Armenian Patriarchate, have demolished the enclosing ramparts and have bulldozed a road in the orchard next to the residence of the Patriarch, and have covered the cells with earth and uprooted hundreds of ancient olive trees. In the last month the Armenian Patriarchate has been notified that Israel will seize 48 dunams (about 10 acres) to be used for building the wall.

 

According to the current Israeli plan the proposed wall will cross in a zigzag fashion through the olive orchard thus rendering it unusable in the future. The position of the wall, which would be in the physical proximity of the Patriarchal residence, will deprive the clergy of the St. James Brotherhood from their annual spiritual retreat.

 

The Patriarchate has appealed to the Israeli High Court for rectification and revision of the possession of the present wall in order to be able to use the Patriarchal residence and the adjoining land. The seizure of this land, which is of great historical significance for the Armenians and Christianity in the Holy Land, has aroused great emotions among the Christian community of the Holy Land.

 

In the event of a negative posture by the Israeli High Court, the Armenian Patriarchate intends to appeal to international force and organize protest meetings.

 

 

© Copyright AZG

[MosJan]

ECHMIADZIN CLOSELY FOLLOWING EVENTS AROUND ARMENIAN CHURCH LANDS IN ISRAEL

 

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been closely following recent events in Israel dealing with the lands of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the ongoing appeal in Israeli courts, a press release, issued by the central headquarters of the Armenian Church In Echmiadzin today said.

 

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians is in constant and continuing contact with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and receives daily updates on the current situation, it read, in particular.

 

 

© Copyright AZG

[edward demian]

These is ample evidence that the Arab conquest of Armenia was brutal swift and deep. There is much evidence of that in the history books. However, because of the conquest and subsequent expulsion of the Arabs by the Turks, we have forgotten that part of our history. Today, Arabs are not concerned with their Christian minorities, but it is Islam that threatens the Christians, not the Arabs. Some of us Armenians that grew up in Arab lands seem to be somewhat enfatuated with the Arabs which are basicly a laid back bunch typical of peoples from hot tropical places. But place a little rabble rousing Mahdi type in their midst and they will rise up and butcher anyone non muslim in their path. We exist at their pleasure and they view us and our successes in their midst with amusement; much as a benevolent despot tolerates a court jester. We, as Christians live as second class citizens in the realm of Islam. We are Europeans, and we better remember that because thats where our future lies.

[edward demian]

I immigrated twice in my life and contemplating immigrating again. So I'm sure that we would have no trouble finding Armenians stuck in the four corners of Siberia freezing and starving, willing to immigrate to some place warmer if not better.

[joseph]

Edward,I agree with you but i still think who ever wants to go needs a wise leader,how about leeding those people your self, be a good example,call your friends in the israely government and fined if they allow non jews to come to their land and let me know,by the way in our history did we qonquer other nations that lived around us,and since you know history can you tell me if you know how we treated them,i want to learn.We did have wars with the Rusians and the Greeks,the Greeks fought against us because we were diferent christians'Monophist'.The Europians are trying to have good relation with the arabs,what do you think about that.

[Accelerated]

In a realm of Judaism we would not be considered citizens at all.

[joseph]

Accelerated:you are 100% wright,in the realm of judaism we will be considerd as"Subspiecies"the same way the blacks were considerd here for long time.I can see how many people are brain washed,people that never met an Arab make ideas about them by reading few books or news papers,i lived in Jordan most of my life, Armenians owned busneses,land,schools and churches and we were not considerd second class citizens,late king Husains photographer was armenian"Zuhrab",we were loved and respected by everyone,this is my personal experiance.

[Rubo]

Hagarag>So, if we claim to be "one" with the Palestinians, we will be treated as the Palestinians are treated.

 

Dear Hagarag, your analysis is fundamentally flawed. Armenian concerns are not equitable with Palestinian issues although they intersect at times. Jewish lobbing against Armenian interests has nothing to do with Palestinians and everything to do with Israeli ally Turkey. Please do not confuse the issue, incidentally why are you quiet about Israeli attempts to confiscate Armenian lands?

[khodja]

Our leaders have chosen to take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As such we should be prepared to deal with the consequences of this. Where Armenians have attempted to forge mutually beneficial alliances with persons of the Jewish faith, they have usually been successful. (e.g. Egoyan/Lantos). I have been here for about a year after self-exiling myself from Armenian affairs for a quarter-century. I view things form a persepective. As I see the situation, our Armenian church leaders have created the situation in which we find ourselves in Bethlehem.

[Rubo]

Dear Hagarag, your reasoning of blaming Armenians based on Yerevan’s ideological stance is severely hollow. Armenia did not supply Palestinians with weapons, Israelis have supplied to Turkey! Armenians did not lobby against Jewish interests in Washington but Israelis have lobbied against Armenian interests repeatedly!!!Which you seem to minimize. So based on your reasoning we should go ahead and deny the Holocaust, confiscate Jewish properties anywhere in the world and say well we were justified since Jews asked for it. Furthermore you do not seem to know the extent of the issue with our church property problems in Israel so I will give you the info.

 

ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

P.O.Box 14235

Jerusalem, israel 91141

Contact: Fr. Pakrad Bourdjekian

Tel: 9722-626-4866; FAX: 6264862

E-Mail: armre@netvision.net.il

 

NOTE: The following is the Armenian Patriarchate's detailed official

statement about the situation concerning the Patriarchate's property at

Baron Der (Bethlehem)

 

Armenian Patriarchate's View On The Baron Der Issue

 

The property of Baron Der is so named after a renowned and saintly Armenian

Patriarch, Grigor Baron Der (1560-1645), who used it as a retreat for

devotion and hermitage. According to historical documents, the said

Patriarch lived there, and since then the place was used by Armenian clergy

for worship, reclusion, and meditation.

Located north of Aida camp - Bethlehem and south of Tantour, Baron Der

consists of approximately 143 dunums of archaeological land with ancient

caves and tombs, as well as hundreds-of-years-old olive trees (1600 trees)

in the vicinity. Within the property, in the south, stands a monastic

building, which serves as residence for Armenian monks who officiate in the

Nativity Church of Bethlehem. Armenian monks from Jerusalem also go there

for their annual retreat and spiritual training.

The Baron Der matter began long before the issuing of a military order by

the State of Israel through its Chief Commander for the West Bank, General

Itshaq Eitan, and the Head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, General Amos

Yaron, to construct a security fence separating the Palestinian areas from

Jerusalem.

 

The incursion of the IDF into the said property during mid-2001 can be

considered a preliminary step toward the construction of the security fence,

which the Ministry of Defense is aiming to execute.

 

THE ISSUE

 

1. During the first week of May 2001 the IDF, without notifying the Armenian

Patriarchate, broke into the convent of Baron Der with the excuse of

security reasons. Upon the Patriarchate's complaint, the Ministry of Defense

issued a 6-month seizure order of the property, on the 16th of May 2001. The

IDF not only took possession of the said property, but also did not show

respect towards the monastic building, thereby destroying and causing

enormous interior and exterior damages to the convent and to the property as

well. Because of the siege imposed on the Bethlehem area, the Patriarchate

had to suffer in silence, hoping the encirclement would end, and then deal

with the issue. The Patriarchate enumerated the IDF-caused damages and sent

to them to the Ministry of Defense together with a letter of complaint on

the 14th of September 2001.

 

2. On the 27th of August 2001, during the incursion into the region of Beith

Jala, the IDF destroyed the wall enclosing the Baron Der convent and

trampled down the ancient olive trees under its tanks. In preliminary

preparation, the tanks opened the security road, which today the Ministry of

Defense aims to convert into a separation wall and a security road between

the West Bank and Israel. Armenian monks from Bethlehem went there

immediately to request that the IDF leave the property and deal with the

compensation of the extensive damages they had caused thereto. This request

was left without a response. The Armenian Patriarchate's architect visited

the property and enumerated the damages, estimated at approximately 77,000

USD. Through its attorney, the Patriarchate issued a letter of complaint,

together with the request for compensation on the 14th of September 2001.

 

3. Receiving no reply from the Ministry of Defense with regard to the

damages caused by the IDF during their incursion into the Beith Jala and

Bethlehem areas, on the 27th of November 2001, the Armenian Patriarchate

appealed in writing to the Italian Consul General, to the Special

Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, and to the

Minister of Public Works of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, for the

restorative renovations of the said damages.

 

4. On the 20th of December 2001, the IDF responded to the Armenian

Patriarchate's letter of complaint, denying the intrusion of the IDF into

the Patriarchate's property, and asserting that, in their view, the IDF had

never entered the said property and had not caused any of the damages stated

in the Patriarchate's letter of complaint. The IDF further added that if the

Patriarchate had any kind of dissatisfaction, it could write to the

committee of insurance and lawsuits of the Ministry of Defense.

 

5. On the 14th of January 2002, the Armenian Patriarchate received a letter

from the Ministry of Defense, stating that they were considering the issue

based on the Patriarchate's letter of complaint, dated the 14th of September

2001.

 

6. On the 25th of March 2002, the Armenian Patriarchate sent a letter

requesting an appropriate response by the Ministry of Defense. This was

never answered.

 

7. On the 21st of April 2002, The IDF paved a military road, starting from

main road of Gilo and passing through the Baron Der property, thereby

dividing said property into two useless plots and reaching the main road to

Bethlehem. When paving the road, the IDF destroyed the tombs and the

antiquities and uprooted many of the hundreds-of-years-old olive trees. The

representative from the Armenian Patriarchate, Fr. Pakrad, went to Baron Der

and met with the Ministry of Defense advisor and IDF representative,

Commander Amitai Levi, who stated that the road is only for temporary use,

and as soon as the situation in the region calms down, they would restore

the area as it had been before. They also requested that the Patriarchate

allow them to lease the Baron Der convent as their headquarters, which the

Patriarchate refused. They further promised to put this request in writing,

which they never did. The Patriarchate convened an immediate Synod meeting

regarding this matter.

 

8. Until the 23rd of May 2002, the Armenian Patriarchate persistently

contacted Commander Amitai Levi, asking for the terms of their request in

writing, but to no avail. The Patriarchate issued a new letter of complaint

to the Ministry of Defense on the 23rd of May 2002, stating the following:

 

a. Recently the IDF opened a road of 1000 meters in length within the

Armenian Patriarchate's property called Baron Der, and this without the

consent and the knowledge of the Patriarchate. The IDF is aiming to

construct a separation wall, which can cause enormous damages to the sacred

property.

 

b. During the meetings of the Armenian Patriarchate's representatives with

the Ministry of Defense, it was suggested and agreed that the wall to be

constructed shall be the existing wall, separating the Baron Der property

from Aida refugee camp.

c. The Armenian Patriarchate requested the Ministry of Defense give the

necessary orders to the IDF to act accordingly so as not to cause any

further damages to the Patriarchate and to its property.

 

9. On the 19th of June 2002, The Ministry of Defense and the IDF invited the

representatives of the Greek and Armenian Patriarchates to meet at the site

of the conflict and discuss the issue. During that meeting, Fr. Pakrad

objected to the plan and repeatedly demanded that the road be moved to the

existing wall separating the Baron Der property from Aida refugee camp.

 

10. As a result to the requests, the representative of the IDF and Ministry

of Defense, Shmuel Hamburger, on the 23rd of June 2002, delivered to the

Armenian Patriarchate a military order of laying hand on the Baron Der

property. This order was issued a long time after the opening of the

military road within said property, thereby dividing it into two useless

plots, contrary to the Patriarchate's consistent objections. The order was

issued by the State of Israel through its Chief Commander for the West Bank,

General Itshaq Eitan, and the Head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense,

General Amos Yaron, in order to construct a security fence separating the

Palestinian areas from Jerusalem. The area is located north of Aida refugee

camp - Bethlehem, and south of Tantour.

 

11. On the 25th of June 2002, for the second time, the Armenian Patriarchate

ordered its architect to prepare a project for the reconstruction of the

wall demolished by the IDF. The Bill of Quantities for this project was

estimated at 311,757 USD.

 

12. On the 26th of June 2002, upon the invitation of the Ministry of

Defense, the Armenian Patriarchate's attorney, Advocate Mazen Qupty, and

representatives from the Patriarchate went to Tel Aviv to meet with the

representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the IDF. During the meeting,

the Ministry of Defense representative, Mr. Shlomo Alon, stated that they

are ready to reduce the width of the road from 50 meters to 27 meters, but

they are not willing to move the road to the existing wall separating Baron

Der property from Aida refugee camp for security reasons. He stated that the

road that the Defense Ministry is planning to construct should become like

the frontier between Jordan and Israel. He also added that the Ministry of

Defense is interested in leasing the existing convent as their headquarters.

The Patriarchate representatives rejected such a proposal and requested a

reconsideration of this plan, for which purpose a Synod meeting was

convened.

 

13. On the 10th of July 2002, a meeting was convened at the Armenian

Patriarchate's Real Estate Office between the Patriarchate's

representatives, Advocate Mazen Qupty, and the representatives of the

Ministry of Defense and IDF, headed by Mr. Shlomo Alon. The Patriarchate's

request to move the security fence and the road to the existing wall

separating the Baron Der property from Aida refugee camp was not granted.

 

14. Having reached an impasse, on the 14th of July 2002, the Armenian

Patriarchate, through Advocate Mazen Qupty, issued a file of appeal

regarding its objections to the Ministry of Defense's plan to build a

security fence running through the Baron Der property and delivered said

file of appeal to the Appeal Court in Tel Aviv.

 

15. The issue was taken up by the worldwide media. Articles were published

concerning the said issue, sometimes misrepresenting the geographical

location of the said property. Local newspapers discussed the fact that the

holy site of Rachel's Tomb, which is not far from the Baron Der property,

was not taken within the security fence.

 

Clarifications on the Baron Der Question:

16. The Baron Der property is a sacred and archaeological site within the

region. Ever since 2001, Armenian monks have been unable to go on their

annual retreats there because of the current situation within the region.

 

17. The letter of clarification from the Embassy of Israel in Tbilisi to the

Foreign Ministry of Armenia, stating that the IDF temporarily seized 27

meters wide and 300-400 meters long agricultural land is not correct. The

Ministry of Defense has stated that the security fence is intended to be a

separation wall between the West Bank and Israel. Thus, the security fence

will divide the sacred property into two useless plots.

 

Conclusion:

 

Despite all the efforts of the Armenian Patriarchate to avoid any such

conflicts, and despite all the correspondence of the Patriarchate to reach a

better understanding for a fair agreement on the issue, the Patriarchate's

requests were not granted and its letters were not answered.

 

The Armenian Patriarchate has no other alternative than, on the one hand, to

turn to the local and international media, and on the other hand, to appeal

to the High Court of Justice against such a plan.

 

Prepared by Fr. Pakrad Bourjekian

On the 20th of July 2002

Armenian Patriarchate

Real Estates Office

Jerusalem

 

Email: armre@netvision.net.il

[khodja]

Again you are relating the present circumstances instead of asking how we got to this point of no return. Did you know that Armenian historical monuments throughout greater Jersulam are plaqued and recognized by the Israeli government? There is a progam of Armenian Studies at Hebrew University in Israrel. Yerevan has close ties to Teheran (I understand why) and is forging closer ties to Baghdad. Yerevan also has close ties to Damascus. If Ankara can hold its close ties to Israel while forging ties to Teheran and the Palestinians, why can't Yerevan build closer ties to Israel? Must a local Armenian Bishop be the only one to try to build ties with the Jews? Until our Church hierarchy is cleansed of anti--Jewish sentiments our situation in Israel will continue to deteriorate.

[joseph]

Hagarag,I dont think the armenians missed you during these 25 years,are you telling me that Egoyan changed Lantos so Lantos is going to take a stand against the turkish and the jewish loby and not vote against the Armenian resolutions,only the Holy Spirit can change Lantos not Egoyan. Rubo,the same story is the story of hundreds of thousnds of palestinians that their lands were saized in the name of securety,they build hundreds of setelments for jews from all over the world and build rods to conect them while confiscating all the lands that those rods run through, a palestinian cant add one room to his house,and if he dares to build one they come and buldose it,talk about the new natzis sorrey i apologize i should say "GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE"???.You know the rest of us are not chosen by GOD ,so what ever happens to us we desarve it according to Hagarag who blames Armenians but no one els.

[khodja]

Baron Kashishian,

 

I was referring to the Canadian Hungarian movie producer Lantos, not the American Hungarian Congressman Lantos. Again you think from your gut and not from your head. If you treat Jews as your enemy, they will repond as such. Are you sure that your perceptions are not more Jordanian than Armenian?