Statement from His Eminence Archbishop
Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London on alarming images and videos
emerging from Jerusalem of the treatment of Coptic clergy
24 October 2018
Alarming images and videos have emerged from
Jerusalem today of the unacceptable and excessive use of force by Israeli
police on Coptic monks and deacons as they lawfully protested the execution of
an order that contravenes a standing Israeli Supreme Court ruling on property in
favour of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Coptic clergy,
accompanying His Eminence Archbishop Antonios, Coptic Orthodox Metropolitan
Archbishop of Jerusalem, were peacefully demonstrating at the Sultan Monastery
in Jerusalem’s Old City, officially the property of the Coptic Orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Urgent restoration work has been needed for some
time, and the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate had offered on numerous occasions to
carry out the required work itself, but was refused. This work is now being
carried out by Israeli authorities on their own terms, without the approval of
the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, and while preventing Archbishop Antonios
access throughout.
According to the 1971 Israeli Supreme Court ruling, the Coptic Orthodox Church was given sole rights over the
Sultan Monastery, but to-date Israeli authorities have failed to implement the
ruling, giving rise to unnecessary dissatisfaction, confusion, tension, and
violent and forceful behaviour against the Coptic community on numerous occasions.
This situation can be alleviated with the execution of
the aforementioned standing Supreme Court ruling of 1971 in favour of the
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
With this alarming and escalating situation,
we pray safety and peace for His Eminence Archbishop Antonios and his clergy
and community in Jerusalem. We also pray wisdom, discernment, and true
visionary and reconciliatory leadership for Israeli authorities, as they find a
legitimate path through this now complex situation in the very birthplace of
Christianity, especially as it affects a community that represents the largest
Christian presence in the Middle East, continues to face persecution, is
recognised and respected around the world for its spirit of forgiveness and
reconciliation, and has had a peaceful and contributing presence in Jerusalem
and the Holy Lands for millennia.
Video footage emerging online/on twitter re excessive violence by Israeli police against #Coptic monks in #Jerusalem latest tweet @BishopAngaelos for related news @SkyNews @CNN @Reuters @BBCNews @FrankRGardner @Telegraph @camanpour @ChristianToday @theipaper @PremierNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/tjn0Lxbpy9— CopticMediaUK (@CopticMediaUK) 24 October 2018
