New patriarch 'reviewing' Jerusalem land sale to Jews

JERUSALEM – The man newly enthroned as Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem claimed in an interview he is "reviewing" the details of the recent sale to Jewish groups of church land comprising much of a key entrance to Jerusalem's Old City and said he is striving to maintain the "status quo" between Israelis and Palestinians in the area.

Theofilos III

WorldNetDaily exposed Theofilos III, crowned as patriarch last week in a ceremony at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, signed a secret document obliging him to nullify the sale to Jews of two hotels that comprise a large section of the Jaffa Gate, the principal entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem.

The property transfer enraged the church's significant Palestinian membership in Israel, who claim Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

A church official described the land sale issue as "crucial," saying, "If peace proposals come through and Jerusalem is ever divided, the Palestinians want Jaffa's Gate, but Irineos' lease would give it to Israel."

Theofilos was sworn in in spite of objections by Israel, which is currently debating whether to recognize him as the official Jerusalem patriarch – the religious leader of 100,000 Christians in the Holy Land. He is attempting to succeed current Patriarch Irineos, who church officials tried to oust in May by holding new patriarchal elections after it was exposed Irineos allegedly leased the church's Jaffa Gate real estate to Jewish groups.

In an interview with Israel's Haaretz daily, Theofilos claimed he is still obtaining all the information on the real estate deals conducted under Irenios, and he pledged that the patriarchate under his leadership would maintain the status quo and strive for coexistence within the Old City.

But WND exposed prior to the new patriarchal election, Theofilos, along with other candidates for patriarch, signed a secret church document stating if he were elected leader he would nullify all transactions made by Irineos, including the Jaffa Gate lease.

Irineos I

The document, addressed to the Palestinian Authority and obtained by WND, states, "We, the candidates of the Greek Orthodox Church, hereby agree that we are obliged to abide by the law of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate. ... In the event that we are elected, we shall act for the cancellation of all transactions made during the period of Irineos I, and shall keep the Orthodox religious trust."

High-placed sources close to the church said the document was drafted by a PA government minister with the cancellation of Irineos' lease of the Jaffa Gate hotels to the Jewish groups as the specific goal.

"The candidates were essentially blackmailed by the Palestinians that if they didn't sign the document and cancel the lease, they would not get approval of the PA as candidates and could not run in elections," a church source told WND. "This is an outright racist policy against the Jews."

A senior church leader close to Irineos told WND: "Theofilos has made statements about not providing Jerusalem land to Jews. He agrees with the Palestinians that they have the rights to eastern Jerusalem."

Theofilos was elected in August by the Holy Synod, the supreme canonical authority in the church, in a 14-0 vote.

Installation of a new patriarch requires the approval of Israel, Jordan and, traditionally, the Palestinian Authority. Both Jordan and the PA have approved Theofilos. But Israel says Theofilos failed to comply with official Israeli election procedures, and has established a committee comprised of senior government ministers to debate recognition of the newly elected patriarch.

Irineos continues to occupy the patriarch's quarters and did not attend Theofilos' installation ceremony.

In the Haaretz interview, Theofilos blasted Israel for refusing to recognize him and continuing to safeguard Ireneos.

"[Israel] was reminiscent of the Ottoman era, when the patriarchate was subject to the arbitrary discretion of the ruling sultans," said Theofilos.

Speaking to WorldNetDaily, Irineos said he could not comment on the secret document regarding nullification of the Jaffa Gate sale, but said, "There is a lot at play here in the election of Theofilos and attempts at deposing [me]."

"The electorate was blackmailed into supporting Theofilos. They were told by fathers and brotherhood members and others that if they didn't vote for Theofilos, they would be kicked out of the church. Documents were made to be signed, including a letter that said 'I will not stand with Irineos.'"

Irineos said he will not step down as patriarch and is "eagerly awaiting" the Israeli committee decision.

In an official document responding to Theofilos' petition for recognition, Israel yesterday described the ceremony to enthrone Theofilos as a "serious impropriety."

"The petition of Theofilos III should be rejected because the ceremony was held before a verdict was handed down. Israel had already expressed its objections about the matter in a letter written by the minister for Jerusalem affairs, Tzachi Hanegbi, which the patriarchate did not take into account," read the Israeli response.

A lobbyist involved in the patriarchal elections who spoke with WND on condition of anonymity – claiming that speaking on the record may place him in danger – said, "There were very clear indications Arab politics were at play in the Synod's deciding to elect Theofilos. There was direct blackmail involved."

The lobbyist continued: "The document Theofilos and the other candidates signed is racism, pure and simple. The church has a very large Palestinian and Jordanian Arab constituency. The only reason the church wants the Jaffa Gate lease nullified is because it signed over Jerusalem land to Jews."

New Patriarch: No land for Jews

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