Greece reaffirmed its support for maintaining the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites and protecting church properties from being occupied by Israeli settlers, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on April 3.
The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a press release that Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Katsaniotis confirmed in a phone conversation with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem. “the full and unconditional support of the Greek state for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem”emphasizing their deep interest in protecting their privileges and rights, including property rights, the religious status quo, and in protecting and promoting holy sites in the Holy Land.
Katsaniotis “expressed his strong concern about cases of violence by Israeli settlers against Christian shrines and, in particular, recalled the recent attack on the sanctuary of the Holy Sepulcher in Gethsemane.
Patriarch Theophilus III warmly thanked Katsaniotis for the sincere and constant support of the Greek state.
The telephone conversation, the ministry noted, took place in connection with the Greek diplomat’s planned trip to Jerusalem to participate as head of the official Greek delegation in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Holy Saturday, April 15. , 2023.
Let us remember that on March 19, two settlers entered the Gethsemane Church and tried to damage the elements inside, but the Palestinian who was in the place managed to stop them.
The attempted attack is just the latest in a series of settler attacks in recent months against Christians and their property in Jerusalem.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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