Armenian Bishop in Al-Quds: Christians will never leave this land

Al-Mayadeen
Nov 29 2023

By Al Mayadeen English

French politician Jean Luc Melenchon calls on Netanyahu and his "henchmen" to stop the recurrent persecution of Eastern Christians, especially Armenians.

Armenian scouts in occupied Al-Quds wave the flags of Armenia, Palestine, and the 

dissolved autonomous republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Dec 24, 2017. (social media)

An Armenian Bishop in occupied Al-Quds swore to the vandal Israeli settlers that "the Christian community [of al-Quds] will never leave this land" in light of the recurrent, almost daily, violations against the Armenian quarter and Christian houses in occupied al-Quds.

In a post on X, French politician Jean Luc Melenchon called on Netanyahu and his henchmen to stop the recurrent persecution of Eastern Christians, especially Armenians.

"Netanyahu and his henchmen must stop persecuting, attacking, and expelling Eastern Christians and especially Armenians from Jerusalem," he wrote.

The Armenian community has held residence in al-Quds since the fourth century living southwest of the old city.

The Armenian quarter is estimated to have an area of 300,000 square meters which is one-sixth of the old city's area.

Last month, the leaders of the Christian community in occupied al-Quds warned against the continued attacks of the Israeli settlers targeting the Christians of the city, promising a response "from the youth", in case these attacks do not stop.

Israeli media also reported that dozens of foreign embassies have requested explanations from the Israeli occupation Foreign Ministry, following the attacks on Christians in the Palestinian capital.

Moreover, the Armenian community in the city also requested the occupation municipality and its police to offer them "prayer protection" from settler attacks. However, the Armenian Christians were faced with nothing but further discrimination practices, and their requests were rejected.

Read more: The Future of Arab Christians: One path, one destiny

In turn, the Roman Catholic archimandrite of the Archdiocese of al-Quds Abdullah Daniel Julio told Al Mayadeen that "Israel does not want Arabs, whether Muslims or Christians, to remain in Palestine. If the occupation's attacks on Christians and their sanctuaries continue, our churches will turn into mere museums."

Father Julio also underscored that "this is a war on identity, and a war against the continued presence of Arabs in al-Quds," urging the need "to strengthen the presence of Arabs and Palestinians in al-Quds