JERUSALEM: Christian leaders Sunday took the uncommon step of last the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, constructed on the website online of Jesus's burial in Jerusalem, in protest at Israeli tax measures and a proposed belongings legislation.
It was once now not immediately transparent how lengthy the closure of the church, introduced through Christian officers at a news conference and which began at around noon (1000 GMT), would last.
The church is thought of as the holiest website online in Christianity, constructed where Christians believe Jesus was once crucified, buried and resurrected, and is a significant pilgrimage website online.
"As a measure of protest, we decided to take this unprecedented step of closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Catholic leaders mentioned in a remark.
They mentioned fresh Israeli measures appeared to be "an attempt to weaken the Christian presence in Jerusalem".
Christian leaders were angered over makes an attempt through Israeli authorities in Jerusalem to put into effect tax assortment on church belongings they believe business, saying exemptions best practice to places of worship or non secular educating.
Separately, Christian leaders say law being regarded as through Israel's government would permit church belongings to be expropriated.
"This abhorrent bill is set to advance today in a meeting of a ministerial committee which if approved would make the expropriation of the lands of churches possible," the remark mentioned.
"This reminds us all of laws of a similar nature which were enacted against the Jews during a dark period in Europe."
Confused tourists stood in entrance of the church's closed doorways in Jerusalem's Old City after the announcement as tour guides sought to explain why they might now not consult with.
One man knelt and prayed as staff began hanging metal barriers across the front.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat mentioned in a remark that the city was once due 650 million shekels ($186 million, 152 million euros) in uncollected taxes on church properties, which he known as "illegal and irrational".
Barkat stressed out that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and all different church buildings had been exempt from the taxes and would stay so, with the changes best affecting institutions like "hotels, halls and businesses" owned through the church buildings.
Christian leaders say the measure jeopardises their skill to conduct their work, which contains now not best non secular but in addition social products and services to these in want.
A separate invoice seeks to allay fears of Israelis who reside in properties on lands in the past held through the Greek Orthodox Church and which have been bought to private developers, consistent with Rachel Azaria of the centrist Kulanu birthday celebration, who's proposing the law.
Recent land gross sales through the Greek Orthodox Church have drawn hearth from each Israelis and Palestinians.
According to Israeli media, the foreign ministry has been critical of the Jerusalem mayor's determination on church taxation, with officers saying the move was once harmful to a decades-long status quo.
A Russian vacationer in her 20s who best gave her identify as Elona mentioned "it is very disappointing" that she may just now not consult with the church on Sunday.
"It is one of the main religious attractions, and to us it was very important to visit it because it is our first time (here)," she mentioned.
She mentioned she does now not feel "her mission is accomplished" as she was once best visiting for a few days.
It was once now not immediately transparent how lengthy the closure of the church, introduced through Christian officers at a news conference and which began at around noon (1000 GMT), would last.
The church is thought of as the holiest website online in Christianity, constructed where Christians believe Jesus was once crucified, buried and resurrected, and is a significant pilgrimage website online.
"As a measure of protest, we decided to take this unprecedented step of closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Catholic leaders mentioned in a remark.
They mentioned fresh Israeli measures appeared to be "an attempt to weaken the Christian presence in Jerusalem".
Christian leaders were angered over makes an attempt through Israeli authorities in Jerusalem to put into effect tax assortment on church belongings they believe business, saying exemptions best practice to places of worship or non secular educating.
Separately, Christian leaders say law being regarded as through Israel's government would permit church belongings to be expropriated.
"This abhorrent bill is set to advance today in a meeting of a ministerial committee which if approved would make the expropriation of the lands of churches possible," the remark mentioned.
"This reminds us all of laws of a similar nature which were enacted against the Jews during a dark period in Europe."
Confused tourists stood in entrance of the church's closed doorways in Jerusalem's Old City after the announcement as tour guides sought to explain why they might now not consult with.
One man knelt and prayed as staff began hanging metal barriers across the front.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat mentioned in a remark that the city was once due 650 million shekels ($186 million, 152 million euros) in uncollected taxes on church properties, which he known as "illegal and irrational".
Barkat stressed out that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and all different church buildings had been exempt from the taxes and would stay so, with the changes best affecting institutions like "hotels, halls and businesses" owned through the church buildings.
Christian leaders say the measure jeopardises their skill to conduct their work, which contains now not best non secular but in addition social products and services to these in want.
A separate invoice seeks to allay fears of Israelis who reside in properties on lands in the past held through the Greek Orthodox Church and which have been bought to private developers, consistent with Rachel Azaria of the centrist Kulanu birthday celebration, who's proposing the law.
Recent land gross sales through the Greek Orthodox Church have drawn hearth from each Israelis and Palestinians.
According to Israeli media, the foreign ministry has been critical of the Jerusalem mayor's determination on church taxation, with officers saying the move was once harmful to a decades-long status quo.
A Russian vacationer in her 20s who best gave her identify as Elona mentioned "it is very disappointing" that she may just now not consult with the church on Sunday.
"It is one of the main religious attractions, and to us it was very important to visit it because it is our first time (here)," she mentioned.
She mentioned she does now not feel "her mission is accomplished" as she was once best visiting for a few days.
Christian leaders close church at Jesus's burial site in tax dispute
![Christian leaders close church at Jesus's burial site in tax dispute]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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February 25, 2018
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