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The reported seizure and enclosure of church-owned land, said Pillay, “constitute a serious violation of church rights and raise profound concerns regarding respect for religious institutions, property rights, and the rule of law.”
Pillay reiterated that the WCC stands in full solidarity with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and reaffirmed the WCC’s support for the protection of church properties, holy sites, and the historic Christian presence in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.
“We call upon the Israeli authorities to respect the legal rights of the Patriarchate and to refrain from any measures that undermine the rights, witness, and continued presence of Christian communities in the city,” concluded Pillay.
