Jerusalem's Armenian community faces serious challenges

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian community in Jerusalem is currently facing significant challenges. According to Zareh Sinanyan, the Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, new tax obligations have been imposed on the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

He noted that the Jerusalem Municipality has presented tax obligations dating back to the 1980s, asserting that certain taxes have not been paid. They are demanding a substantial sum, and failure to pay could lead to specific consequences. This implies that the debt may need to be settled through property or land, which could be catastrophic for the Armenian presence in Jerusalem.

Sinanyan emphasized that the Armenian Quarter has survived thanks to the extensive investments and efforts of generations of Armenian benefactors over many decades.

He added that while these issues originate locally and are not directly connected to the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian government is often approached for solutions in such situations.

The Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem is an ancient ethno-religious area predominantly inhabited by Armenians. Alongside the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish quarters, it forms one of the key areas of the Old City, covering about one-sixth of its territory. The internal affairs of the quarter are regulated and managed by the Armenian Apostolic Church.