Ma’an News Agency website, Bethlehem, Palestine
April 30 2009

Israel orders demolition of church extension in Jerusalem

["Israeli Municipality Issues Demolition Order on Renovated Housing in
Old City Monastery" – Ma’an headline]

Jerusalem -Ma’an -Orders have been made to demolish a two-floor
addition to a monastery and church in the Old City of Jerusalem, Aide
for Jerusalem affairs Hatem Abd Al-Qader reported on 29 April.

The orders were made by the Israeli municipal government of Jerusalem,
and target structures such as a two story addition to the Armenian
Catholic Church. Clergy from the order have requested help in fighting
the order.

The addition was built to house religious figures visiting Jerusalem
from Vatican City. The 150-year-old structure is built on land owned
by Belgium’s monarchy.

Abd Al-Qader described the order as a challenge against holy sites in
the Old City, and said the order was particularly concerning ahead of
Pope Benedict XVI’s May visit. He noted that the issue would be
brought up with the Holy Father.

The attack on the church is seen as yet another attempt to wipe
Palestinian religious presence from the Old City in an effort to
judaize the area.