Israeli Settlers Encroach on Orthodox Monastery in Jericho

Monastery of St. Gerasimos of the Jordan. Photo: ekathimerini.com

JERICHO — Israeli settlers have illegally entered and seized part of the land belonging to the Orthodox Monastery of Abba Gerasimos of the Jordan in Jericho, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and is located on the West Bank of the Jordan River.

According to the Greek outlet Kathimerini, recent months have seen a sharp increase in pressure from radical settlers in the Jericho area – at least five new illegal outposts have been established, often a precursor to full-scale land grabs.

This time, the target was an Orthodox monastery situated north of the Dead Sea.

Sources report that settlers unlawfully entered monastery lands belonging to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, prompting alarm both among clergy and in international circles.

In response, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an emergency meeting in Athens to discuss possible diplomatic measures to protect the monastery and church property.

The official reaction followed multiple reports of expanding illegal activity by Israeli settlers in the Jericho region, along with questionable activity by the Municipality of Jerusalem.

On Wednesday, writer Andrew Cusack stated in a post on X that the Municipality froze all bank accounts of the Patriarchate, and that the city is attempting to impose and backdate property tax on religious sites, which have always been exempt.

The monastery, founded in the fifth century by Saint Gerasimos, is considered one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries in the Holy Land.

Previously, UOJ reported that, after another attack on the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh by Israeli settlers, the heads of the churches in Jerusalem released a statement on the ongoing issue there.

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