Main church in Jerusalem closed due to taxes

RAMALLAH, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- The Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday was closed indefinitely to protest new Israeli taxes on churches and Christian properties.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said at a news conference that the chief bishops of the churches in Jerusalem issued a joint statement affirming that the new fees constituted breach of international agreements and commitments that ensure churches' rights and prerogatives.
He added that he and the top Christian priests warned Israel might follow this move with expropriation of church-owned lands.
The patriarch was protesting new fees imposed by the municipality on the churches and their assets. (end) nq.rk