ARMENIAN QUARTER, OLD CITY, JERUSALEM – We are representatives of the Jerusalemite Armenian community, which includes social, charitable, youth and political clubs and associations and, of course, the SavetheArQ movement. We urgently appeal to the international community for support in safeguarding the historical Armenian Quarter at a terribly crucial moment for our community.
Recent actions by the Israeli police have added a dangerous layer to the already existential threats we are facing. Despite ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Armenian community seeking to nullify the illegal transaction involving the Cows’ Garden property, the Israeli police have now joined Israeli settlers to actively escalate tensions, forcefully change the facts on the ground and critically endanger our 1600-year-old presence in Jerusalem. To be clear, we declare in one united voice that any transaction regarding the Cows’ Garden is void, threatens our existence as a community and violates our property rights. The very existence of the Armenian Patriarchate and the Armenian community of Jerusalem is now under historic threat.
We implore the international community to recognize the significance of our cultural and historical heritage in Jerusalem and to stand with us in defense of our rights to exist as Armenians in Jerusalem. The Armenian Quarter is not merely a geographical location; it is a symbol of our enduring presence and identity. Any encroachment upon it not only undermines our community and Patriarchate, but it also threatens to destroy the very tapestry of the Old City.
We call upon all concerned parties—including heads of state, diplomatic missions, international organizations and advocates for human rights—to raise the public profile of this existential crisis, unite in solidarity with us and exert maximum efforts to halt further encroachments into Armenian properties and preserve the status quo in the Armenian Quarter.
We also call upon all those who care about the integrity of Jerusalem, its history and the viability of all of its communities to demand that the government of Israel order the Israeli police to cease aiding, abetting and even spearheading the company’s assault on the Armenian community, the Armenian Quarter and the seizure of the community’s precious properties.
They are armed. We are not. The rule of law—not illegal and forceful encroachment of Israeli settlers aided by the Israeli state police—must prevail. Our physical security, the pending legal processes and the status quo must be protected. Right now, all are in jeopardy because of the actions taken by the Israeli police and settlers.
The protection and preservation of our heritage are not only a duty but also a testament to the shared values of respect, tolerance and cultural diversity that must be upheld in Jerusalem.
- Save The ArQ Movement
- Jerusalem Armenian Benevolent Union
- Armenian Young Men’s Society Hoyetchmen Club
- Homenetmen Club
- Armenian Revolutionary Federation
- Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
- Armenian Relief Society
Guest Contributor
Israel doesn’t even listen to its main ally and main arms supplier, the USA, about moderating its conduct in Gaza. The situation of the Armenian Quarter doesn’t make into the news, let alone generate headlines, like everything else in the Middle East, which is drowned out by the war in Gaza. Considering the utter might and ruthlessness of Israel, the situation of the Armenian Quarter looks bleak.
Where are the religious leaders who made a contract with the Jewish businessman on behalf of the Armenian church?
I think we should catch them and hang them at that door…
because the businessman who made that contract appealed to the so-called Israeli justice…
Here is my contract…
He says he wants to start construction immediately.
I was treated unfairly.
I trust Israeli justice.
He constantly submits petitions asking the police to vacate the place by force.
The “international community” won’t lift a finger to support Jerusalem Armenians if the global Armenian diaspora, the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian government in Yerevan fails to raise the issue on the world stage. Let’s not kid ourselves yet again.
There was clearly corruption by the clergy in the adverse sale , Armenians were betrayed by their own! As stated the violence in Gaza will catch the world’s attention even if it makes Israel notorious and loose popularity. The issue in Jerusalem is but a footnote. Bit like the issues with Armenia and Azerbaijan the wider world doesn’t really care either way actually it’s just not a part of the world that gets much attention for better or for worse.
@Charles,
The world does care about Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict but the difference between that conflict and Israel-Palestine conflict is that the former is discussed behind the scenes and not publicized and not given coverage because the two-faced EU and the rest are invested in terrorist artificial Azerbaijan and don’t want to antagonize them in order not to jeopardize their investments in their energy sector they heavily depend on and now more so because of sanctions imposed on Russia. That is the real reason and not what you think!
The Save the ArQ movement deserves international support. They are on the side of justice.
NOBODY GIVES A DAMN! PALESTINIANS ARE BEING MURDERED IN REAL TIME, ON THE INTERNET, WITH EVERYONE’S AWARENESS, AND NOBODY GIVES A DAMN ABOUT STOPPING THE ZIONISTS. THE ARAB LEADERS AND SHEIKS DON’T EVEN GIVE A DAMN! OVER 40,000 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED WITH MORE TO COME. WHAT MAKES THE JERUSALEM ARMENIAN COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD CARES ABOUT THEM?! ARMENIANS STILL HAVE NOT LEARNED AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEING MURDERED THAT THEY NEED TO BE ARMED TO THE TEETH AND BE THE AGGRESSORS AND BULLIES INSTEAD OF BEING WEAK AND WHINING VICTIMS, BEGGING THE WORLD FOR HELP, AND STANDING THERE CONFUSED WHEN THEY DON’T GET IT.
I agree with you that Armenians should be well armed so that we can defend ourselves and make any attack upon us painful to our enemies as a deterrent. However I never want to see our people become aggressors and bullies. It is not who we are as Christians.
Have those two clerics who signed a 100-year agreement with the Jewish contractor been caught yet?
It is claimed that each of them received 5 million dollars of HANUT
If Armenia had a real leadership, it would give Israel an uktimatum.
Either recognise the Armenian Genocide and Quarter in Jerusalem or Armenia will recognise Palestine.
Unfortunately, however, Armenia does not have a real leadership; it has Pashinyan.
There’ll be nothing but shame, defeat and humilliation until and unless the Armenian people get rid of Pashinyan.
Is this being shared on Instagram so that people can spread the word? I’m in Canada and cannot read Armenian weekly posts due to news bans. In addition to this appeal we need action items. Are those available or being circulated anywhere? Links to them in this article would be helpful.
Christian countries should intervene else soon they be next in the line with Old Jerusalem land confiscation project.
Are we still living in the 8th century with no government to do something?
Is Armenia’s government silent?
Is Edjmiasin silent?
Is Dashnak party silent?
Is AGBU silent?
They have the full resources of the Armenian people. We EXPECT these organizations to ACT on behalf of the Armenian people.
It should be noted that Azerbaijan uses Israeli weapons against Armenia and harbours Israeli agents in its territory to spy against Iran. No politician cares about you if you are weak, nobody cares about Palestinians, nobody cares about Armenians, nobody cared about Jews during the Holocaust. They will shed crocodile tears when the tragedy is over but they don’t want to upset the powerful people now. It’s time that good people all over the world try to attain as much power as they can while still retaining their humanity.
Precious Armenian POWs in Artsakh must be rescued! Armenia faces another planned Genocide. A large number of precious Christians of different denominations, desperate men, women, families, children… are trapped in Gaza and need to be rescued. Every one of the precious hostages in Gaza must be rescued. Cry out to God for mighty miracles for all of these innocents. 🥲🙏🥲🙏🥲🙏
Hamas terrorists seizes all the food from the food trucks for themselves. And also sell it for profit. Hamas and their allies demand a Cease Fire. There WAS a ceasefire. Hamas broke the Cease Fire on Oct 7. Hamas breaks all Cease Fires and all so-called Peace Agreements. End the Suffering. End the Hate. End the War. FREE every hostage. Now.
It makes me really angry that for a very long time there’s been an ongoing Genocide of Christians around the world. But no nation gives the Christians weapons of war to defend themselves from their Christian-hater, God-hater enemies. The Armenian Genocide was horrific. No one helped Armenians.
It will be hard for an appeal based on the international law of occupied territories to succeed when those making it wave the flag of an entity which occupied seven Azerbaijani districts.
Outreach to the Jewish community based on shared history is the solution. If the Israeli state doesn’t reciprocate, let it be on their consciences.
Can we rely on the current leaders in armenia to help? They are currently giving away previous armenian land to the turks. I doubt they do a thing for Armenians in jerusalem.
Its up to the diasporan community to help