Jerusalem mayor says he is working to resolve tax dispute

Lebanon throws its support behind Jerusalem's protesting Christian leaders

epaselect epa06566473 A visitor prays outside the closed gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City quarter of Jerusalem, 26 February 2019. Christian leaders in Jerusalem announced on 25 February the closure of the church until further notice, following a dispute with the Jerusalem municipality over tax matters and a government bill relating to land belonging to the church. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

A visitor prays outside the closed gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City quarter of Jerusalem, on February 26, 2019. Abir Sultan / EPA

The National

Feb 27, 2018

Jerusalem's mayor says he is working to solve the tax dispute that has led to the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Mayor Nir Birkat said on Tuesday that he is negotiating alongside a third party but declined to identify who it is.

Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and other Christian leaders on Sunday closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to protest Mr Barkat's decision to force them to pay property taxes.

Mr Barkat says the taxes apply only to "commercial properties," and not houses of worship.

Church officials say they were blindsided by the decision.

Mr Barkat says his decision is in line with practices common around the world.

Lebanon on Tuesday threw its support behind Christian leaders in Jerusalem.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the church was rightfully defying measures by the Israeli government.

“We are in solidarity with Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine, and its people to protect Christian presence in the holy city,” Mr Hariri tweeted on Tuesday.

#كنيسة_القيامة تتحدى الإجراءات الإسرائيلية. متضامنون مع #القدس عاصمة #فلسطين واهلها لحماية الوجود المسيحي في المدينة المقدسة.
— Saad Hariri (@saadhariri) February 27, 2018

Christian officials said the church would remain locked indefinitely to pressure Israel to reverse its measures.

Dozens of disappointed pilgrims gathered outside the church on Monday.

Christian pilgrims used the background for memorable photographs by the giant closed wooden doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday February 26,2018.The Church of the Holy Sepulchre remained closed for a second day after church leaders in Jerusalem closed it to protest against Israeli's announced plans by the cityÕs municipality earlier this month to collect property tax (arnona) from church-owned properties on which there are no houses of worship.
(Photo by Heidi Levine for The National).

Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was buried, remained closed on Monday in protest at Israeli tax measures and a proposed property law. All photos by Heidi Levine for The National

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Churches fear the expropriation bill will make it harder for them to sell their property, the proceeds of which are vital to church activities. The new tax is also seen as a financial blow to the churches.

Jerusalem mayor says he is working to resolve tax dispute

Lebanon throws its support behind Jerusalem's protesting Christian leaders

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has shut its doors in protest