The Israeli troops in Bethlehem seized the building, which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church
4.04.2002 · English, Архив 2002
THE ISRAELI TROOPS IN BETHLEHEM SEIZED THE BUILDING, WHICH BELONGS TO THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
On April 2 His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent letters to President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel concerning the morning seizure of the territory and the building, which belong to the Russian Orthodox Church and are located near the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem.
The letter says: ‘We in the Russian Orthodox Church were deeply concerned with the occupation by the Israeli troops of the territory, which belongs to our Church near the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem, where the House for Pilgrims is located. We have learnt that military equipment is being installed there.
The Russian Orthodox Church has persistently come forward for peace in the Middle East, mourns for all victims of the aggravated confrontation and calls upon the parties to stop the bloodshed. We have repeatedly addressed peace proposals both to the Government of Israel and to the leaders of the Palestinian National Autonomy. Unfortunately, the recent actions of the Israeli troops undermine peace mission of the Russian Orthodox Church and indirectly involve it in the conflict, as the plot of land and the building which our Church owns are being prepared for use in military actions.
The Moscow Patriarchate considers it inadmissible to use in any military actions the territories and buildings of religious organizations, which are called to preach peace.
In connection with the aforementioned, the Russian Orthodox Church voices its vigorous protest and demands an immediate withdrawal of the troops from the territory, which it owns’.
His Holiness the Patriarch sent letters to the RF President V.Putin, the US President G.Bush and the UN Secretary General K.Annan with a request for promoting the solution of this urgent problem.
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