UNCCP – Greek Orthodox Partriarchate of Jerusalem re. difficulties with properties owned in Israel – Letter to Israel

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

Letter dated 22 December 1949 addressed by the Legal Adviser of the Commission to
Mr. Lourie of the Delegation of Israel regarding the Greek Orthodox Partriarchate of Jerusalem.

Dear Mr. Lourie:

Two representatives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem have recently called on a member of the staff of the Conciliation Commission in Jerusalem and made a statement from which it appears that the Patriarchate at present is facing an extremely difficult financial situation as a result of the hostilities in Palestine which have meant a curtailment of the revenues of the Patriarchate to one-fourth of its original amount. This situation is said to have considerably limited the financial capacity of the Patriarchate to maintain its religious, educational and philanthropic activities in Palestine and neighbouring territories, and to carry out relief work to refugees.

It was further explained that the greater part of the normal revenues of the Patriarchate came from properties at present in the territory now being controlled by the Government of Israel, in particular, real estate properties in the Cities of Jerusalem, Jaffa and Haifa and rural properties in Brerg and Casaria. It was pointed out in this connection that the Government of Israel through the Custodian of Abandoned Property has until now prevented the owners to draw the revenues for their properties.

The statement of the Patriarchate was considered at the meeting of the Commission held on 9 December in New York on which occasion the Commission expressed the conviction that the Government of Israel would wish to give favourable consideration to the possibility of a transfer of funds which would enable the Patriarchate to carry on its religious, educational and philanthropic activities

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd.) Axel Serup

Legal Adviser