Jordan slams Israeli settler raid on Orthodox Church land in Jerusalem

By Laith Al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordan on Wednesday condemned an Israeli settler raid on a land owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the town of Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, dozens of settlers stormed the 5,000 sqm plot of land in Silwan, south of Jerusalem’s Old City, under Israeli police protection.

The settler raid has triggered clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli forces during which a number of Palestinians were injured.

In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry expressed its “absolute rejection” of any measures targeting the Christian presence in Jerusalem.

The ministry reiterated Jordan’s support to the Jerusalemites and the Orthodox Church "against all assaults by extremists and settlers."

On Tuesday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate decried the settler raid as a “clear encroachment” on its properties in Jerusalem.

“This radical group has no right or judicial backing in their favor to allow them to enter or occupy the land,” it said in a statement.

“This intrusion is a clear encroachment on the Patriarchate’s properties in Jerusalem,” it added.

There was no comment from the Israeli authorities on the statements.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping East Jerusalem, now occupied by Israel, might eventually serve as capital of a future Palestinian state.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report