In the statement of the two countries, it was stated that the decision of Jordan and Palestine was issued following a deal related to the Al-Bustan site known as the Cow Garden and its surroundings, which extends to the Al-Qishla building in Bab Al-Khalil, which constitutes a large part of the Armenian Quarter.
Palestine and Jordan announced the freezing of their recognition of the Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, in his capacity as the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, the rest of the Holy Land and Jordan, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The decision comes because the Patriarch took real estate measures in the Armenian Quarter and deals, without consulting with the relevant parties, which are measures that would affect the future of the city of Jerusalem, according to what was stated in a joint statement issued by the Palestinian state and the Kingdom of Jordan.
The two countries’ statement stated that the decision of Jordan and Palestine was issued following a deal related to the Al-Bustan site known as the Cow Garden and its surroundings, which extends to the Al-Qishla building in Bab Al-Khalil, which constitutes a large part of the Armenian Quarter.
The statement also stated that the Patriarch’s actions would affect the historical and legal status of real estate, which would change its demographic and geographical character, in the Armenian neighborhood, which is a cultural and human heritage, and a historical part of the mosaic of the city of Jerusalem, and an integral part of the Old City as occupied territory. Resolutions issued by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, including Security Council Resolutions 1515, 476, 338, 242, 2334, and other relevant international resolutions apply to them.
According to the statement, the Executive Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has issued several decisions considering the Old City and its walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and that Patriarch Manougian’s dealings constituted a clear violation of relevant international covenants and decisions, which aim to preserve the status quo. In Jerusalem, protecting the authentic Jerusalemite Armenian heritage.
This is not the first time that the Palestinians have complained about the actions of Patriarch Manougian, who had previously granted a lease of land in Jerusalem to an Australian businessman for the purpose of building a hotel, and leasing another plot of land to the Israeli occupation municipality.
Patriarch Manougian’s actions raise fears that these deals will change the features of the occupied city of Jerusalem, and that real estate will leak to the occupation authority, which may have negative repercussions on the negotiations for the final solution.