Arutz-7 continues to reveal more of what went on behind the scenes in the decision not to appoint Arafat-ally Irineos I as head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Israel. It will be recalled that Prime Minister Sharon was in favor of the appointment, but backed down at the end of last week in the face of strong opposition from some of his ministers.
Evidence of Irineos' anti-Semitism was provided by a letter he wrote Arafat on July 17, 2001, stating, “You [Arafat] are aware of the sentiments of disgust and disrespect that all the Holy Sepulchre fathers are feeling for the descendants of the crucifiers of our Lord... actual crucifiers of your people, Sionists [sic] Jewish conquerors of the Holy Land of Palestine.” Irineos' letter asks Arafat for his support, promising that if he is elected head of the church, "rest assured, Mr. President, that the rights of our most beloved Palestinian people on the Holy City of Jerusalem will find the most 'hot' supporter."
Arutz-7's Shimon Cohen has now learned that Irineos tried unsuccessfully to pull off an underhanded trick that would have gained him legitimacy in the eyes of the Israeli Cabinet. Atty. Gilad Sher - who served as bureau chief to Prime Minister Ehud Barak - conducted a correspondence on Irineos' behalf with Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit regarding a deal between the Greek Orthodox Church and the State of Israel. The deal would involve the granting of a 150-year lease to Israel for Church-owned lands on which stand properties such as the Knesset, the government complex, and the residences of the President and the Prime Minister. Irineos then sent Sher a letter of approval for the idea - but did not include his official stamp and signature. Also "overlooked" was the fact that the Greek Orthodox Church cannot make any real estate deals without the signatures of all 18 members of its highest religious authority, known as the Synod.
Irineos' plan apparently was to present the deal to the Synod only after it was approved by the Israeli government; the Synod would likely not have approved it, but Irineos would thus present himself as a "moderate" and a "friend of Israel." When Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein learned of the ruse, he sent a letter to Justice Minister Sheetrit saying that the procedure he and Atty. Sher had begun was illegal, because of the Synod requirement of 18. The trick to "purify" Irineos was thus nipped in the bud.
Evidence of Irineos' anti-Semitism was provided by a letter he wrote Arafat on July 17, 2001, stating, “You [Arafat] are aware of the sentiments of disgust and disrespect that all the Holy Sepulchre fathers are feeling for the descendants of the crucifiers of our Lord... actual crucifiers of your people, Sionists [sic] Jewish conquerors of the Holy Land of Palestine.” Irineos' letter asks Arafat for his support, promising that if he is elected head of the church, "rest assured, Mr. President, that the rights of our most beloved Palestinian people on the Holy City of Jerusalem will find the most 'hot' supporter."
Arutz-7's Shimon Cohen has now learned that Irineos tried unsuccessfully to pull off an underhanded trick that would have gained him legitimacy in the eyes of the Israeli Cabinet. Atty. Gilad Sher - who served as bureau chief to Prime Minister Ehud Barak - conducted a correspondence on Irineos' behalf with Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit regarding a deal between the Greek Orthodox Church and the State of Israel. The deal would involve the granting of a 150-year lease to Israel for Church-owned lands on which stand properties such as the Knesset, the government complex, and the residences of the President and the Prime Minister. Irineos then sent Sher a letter of approval for the idea - but did not include his official stamp and signature. Also "overlooked" was the fact that the Greek Orthodox Church cannot make any real estate deals without the signatures of all 18 members of its highest religious authority, known as the Synod.
Irineos' plan apparently was to present the deal to the Synod only after it was approved by the Israeli government; the Synod would likely not have approved it, but Irineos would thus present himself as a "moderate" and a "friend of Israel." When Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein learned of the ruse, he sent a letter to Justice Minister Sheetrit saying that the procedure he and Atty. Sher had begun was illegal, because of the Synod requirement of 18. The trick to "purify" Irineos was thus nipped in the bud.