Jerusalem, August 29, 2025
ria.ru
The bank accounts of the Jerusalem Patriarchate have been unfrozen, according to an exclusive report from Greek Church news agency Romfea, marking a significant development in the ongoing property tax dispute with Israeli authorities.
The accounts had been frozen by the Jerusalem municipality on August 6, over unpaid property taxes known as Arnona—the Israeli property tax collected throughout the city. The freeze left the Patriarchate unable to pay salaries to clergy, teachers, and staff.
According to Romfea’s exclusive information, the matter has reached a positive outcome in recent days following various interventions. The agency reports that intense pressure from Consuls General of various countries ultimately led to the release of the accounts.
The report notes that all Christian churches and communities in Jerusalem stood united on this issue, jointly raising their voices against the municipality’s decision and defending their historic rights in the Holy City.
The dispute centers on which church properties are exempt from municipal taxes, with the Jerusalem municipality asserting that tax exemptions apply only to properties used for worship and religious teaching, not commercial activities serving pilgrims.
The Middle East Council of Churches had issued a statement against the freezing of accounts by the “occupation authorities,” adding to the chorus of opposition from Christian institutions.
The current dispute dates back to 2018 when Jerusalem began seeking to collect back taxes from Church properties. A similar freeze that year prompted religious authorities to shut down the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for three days in protest, with the municipality backing down only after intervention from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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