The statement of “Al-Haqiqa” - a movement against the leakage of Orthodox endowments - stated: “We have always warned of the dangers of what is happening in Jerusalem, and in particular around Bab al-Khalil.”
The Truth Movement Against the Leakage of Orthodox Endowments said that the settlers’ demolition of the ancient walls of the Petra Hotel in the Bab al-Khalil area last Friday, accompanied by the occupation’s Department of Antiquities, is a clear targeting of the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem.
Al-Haqiqa added in a statement, a copy of which we received, “The demolition of the hotel’s historic walls is taking place with the complicity of Theophilus and some of the beneficiaries who were involved with him in leaking properties and endowments that are supposed to be Palestinian Orthodox property subject to the owners of the country.”
The statement indicated that the occupation seeks to deepen and tighten its control over the Old City and Bab al-Khalil, which is actually considered the pulse of Jerusalem, pointing to the historical status of Bab al-Khalil and the importance of the Palestinian conscience.
The movement stated in its statement that “what is happening with Theophilus and the occupation cannot be tolerated, because this issue is not the monopoly of anyone, but rather it is a national issue that requires a stand by a people who will not compromise on the future of Jerusalem and the identity of Jerusalem.”
The "Al-Haqiqa" movement confirmed that the sale and leakage of Bab Al-Khalil properties falls within the plan to empty Jerusalem of Palestinians and eliminate the Christian presence in the Holy City, and is consistent with the Israeli occupation's plan to displace and displace the people of Jerusalem and replace them with settlers.
Stressing that the deal of the real estate owned by the Orthodox Patriarchate and the ownership of the settlers and the “Ateret Cohanim” settlement association, for the Petra and Imperial hotels, is a crime against the church, the endowments and the holy sites and part of a settlement project to Judaize the Old City of Jerusalem, as the buildings and real estate that were leaked through the deal are the facade of the Old City of Jerusalem from the direction of the Hebron Gate.
The Orthodox “Truth” movement held the Patriarchate fully responsible for the leakage of real estate and church property in Jerusalem, considering that the decision of the occupation’s Supreme Court proved Theophilus’ complicity in the deals and leakage operations.
He warned against leaking more real estate and property and replacing it with settler groups, especially since the Patriarchate is subject to complete Greek domination and control, which has been leaking real estate and property to the occupation since the Nakba.
Al-Haqiqa believes that what happened in Bab al-Khalil comes within the context of the same approach that stems from a decision related to the interests of Patriarch Theophilus and his corrupt group linked to the occupation that provides him with protection and support.
At the end of its statement, the Truth Movement called on “the free people of Palestine to rally around the Orthodox cause as a national cause, and the necessity of closing ranks through a unified Palestinian position that supports the struggle against the Patriarchate, Theophilus, and against the occupation’s efforts.