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Public radio of Armenia (23 September 2025)

Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem has expressed disappointment and concern after learning that a hearing over its long-running Arnona (municipal tax) dispute has been rescheduled for September 29, 2025, despite earlier assurances that the case would be addressed through a special government committee.

In a statement issued Monday, the Patriarchate said it had been officially notified in February that the original hearing for administrative petition ATM 1470-02-24 was cancelled. Church leaders interpreted that move as a sign that Israeli authorities intended to resolve the matter through the governmental committee headed by Tzachi Hanegbi, which was established in 2018 to handle similar disputes involving Christian institutions.

“The Patriarchate placed sincere trust in this process and welcomed the dialogue through the committee,” the statement read. “It is therefore with disappointment and concern that we now approach a new hearing date, while the dispute has not been redirected to the appropriate governmental channels.”

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