Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem lacks transparency, refuses to show any documents to community – Setrag Balian

Recently, reports surfaced about a new secret deal concerning the Cows’ Garden made between Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan Manougian and the Israeli company Xana Gardens, without the community’s approval.

Alpha News spoke with Setrag Balian, founder of the Save the ARQ movement, about the issue.

“The second agreement hasn’t been signed yet, but it is in progress. For a year and three months, the Patriarchate has been negotiating with the company, but we found out about it quite late. They wanted the community to support the agreement without receiving any additional information. It is the same story as in 2021, when the first agreement was signed. Again, the same methods, the same secrecy, and naturally, the community rejects it. We are not opposed to the Patriarchate making a deal—we are rejecting the fact that the Patriarchate is not working transparently with the community and refuses to show any information or documents. The community’s lawyers had lengthy discussions with the Patriarchate’s legal team and requested to see the agreement so it could be reviewed, but unfortunately, that request was denied. We now know they are preparing to sign this second agreement regarding the Cows’ Garden,” Balian said.

According to him, they have repeatedly asked the Patriarchate to sit down with community members and discuss all matters, but they have been rejected.

“Rest assured—the community is no longer what it used to be. We will defend it 24/7. This is the same community that has stood its ground against police, armed settlers, and Arab Palestinian groups. The community has the legal authority to protect its rights, its land, its church, and its institutions,” Balian emphasized.