The Supreme Court has frozen the appointment of Irineos as Greek Orthodox Church Patriarch until the end of the relevant legal proceedings. The decision was handed down this afternoon.
Two court suits block the appointment of Irineos, approved by the government over a month ago. One of them, represented by Atty. Dan Avi-Yitzchak, essentially made the same points that Shabak and police elements made in their long-standing opposition to the appointment. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, a member of the ministerial committee that ultimately narrowly recommended that the appointment be approved, said recently that there is a "black cloud that is still hanging over his head regarding his loyalty to the State of Israel... The Patriarch is not only a religious leader, but also someone who owns very important Israeli lands - why should we take the risk? With one decision, he could change the status of lands on a tremendous scale, and thus harm our status in Jerusalem and elsewhere."
Despite today's ruling, President Moshe Katzav - possibly in anticipation of a different decision - is scheduled to meet with Irineos this afternoon at 4 PM. According to Greek Orthodox Church sources, Katzav's aides initiated the meeting. The President's spokesman, speaking with Arutz-7's Shimon Cohen this morning before the ruling was handed down but while the appointment was still under temporary suspension, refused to relate to the fact that the appointment was not yet in effect.
As head of the Greek Orthodox Church, considered the richest in Israel, Irineos would be responsible for its extensive land holdings, including the land on which the Knesset was built, the Prime Minister's and the President's official residences, parts of Jerusalem's wealthiest neighborhoods, locations in the Old City and in the new Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, and land in Ramle and Lod. It has been widely reported that Irineos promised to give Arafat church property in Jerusalem as a gift.
Copies of letters from Irineos to Arafat in which he uses sharp anti-Semitic terminology and openly expresses support for PLO terrorism against Israel can be seen on Arutz-7's website at. On July 17, 2001, Irineos wrote,
"You [Arafat] are aware of the sentiments of disgust and disrespect that all the Holy Sepulcher fathers feel 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 asks Arafat to support him in his quest to become Patriarch, promising that if he is elected, "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."
Two court suits block the appointment of Irineos, approved by the government over a month ago. One of them, represented by Atty. Dan Avi-Yitzchak, essentially made the same points that Shabak and police elements made in their long-standing opposition to the appointment. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, a member of the ministerial committee that ultimately narrowly recommended that the appointment be approved, said recently that there is a "black cloud that is still hanging over his head regarding his loyalty to the State of Israel... The Patriarch is not only a religious leader, but also someone who owns very important Israeli lands - why should we take the risk? With one decision, he could change the status of lands on a tremendous scale, and thus harm our status in Jerusalem and elsewhere."
Despite today's ruling, President Moshe Katzav - possibly in anticipation of a different decision - is scheduled to meet with Irineos this afternoon at 4 PM. According to Greek Orthodox Church sources, Katzav's aides initiated the meeting. The President's spokesman, speaking with Arutz-7's Shimon Cohen this morning before the ruling was handed down but while the appointment was still under temporary suspension, refused to relate to the fact that the appointment was not yet in effect.
As head of the Greek Orthodox Church, considered the richest in Israel, Irineos would be responsible for its extensive land holdings, including the land on which the Knesset was built, the Prime Minister's and the President's official residences, parts of Jerusalem's wealthiest neighborhoods, locations in the Old City and in the new Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, and land in Ramle and Lod. It has been widely reported that Irineos promised to give Arafat church property in Jerusalem as a gift.
Copies of letters from Irineos to Arafat in which he uses sharp anti-Semitic terminology and openly expresses support for PLO terrorism against Israel can be seen on Arutz-7's website at
"You [Arafat] are aware of the sentiments of disgust and disrespect that all the Holy Sepulcher fathers feel 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 asks Arafat to support him in his quest to become Patriarch, promising that if he is elected, "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."