Palestinian Embassy in Cyprus condemns seizure of Greek Orthodox land in Silwan

On June 15, 2026, the Embassy of Palestine in Cyprus issued a statement condemning the seizure of land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Silwan area of East Jerusalem. The Embassy reports that Israeli forces confiscated the property, which is located near a historic monastery and archaeological sites. The reported actions included the expulsion of a Patriarchate representative, the seizure of equipment, the uprooting of trees, and the installation of fences and gates. The Palestinian Embassy asserts that the property is legally registered under the name of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. The statement characterizes this event as a violation of international law and part of a broader systematic policy affecting the demographic and historical status of East Jerusalem. The Embassy has formally requested that the Republic of Cyprus take bilateral and European-level initiatives to protect Christian sites and properties in the area. Israel has not issued a formal public response to these specific allegations within the provided texts. The Palestinian mission maintains that the land remains under the legal ownership of the church despite the recent actions taken by occupying forces.