Holy Sepulcher Church to reopen Wed. after Israel's taxes suspension

RAMALLAH, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, all Palestine and Jordan Theophilos III announced Tuesday the Holy Sepulcher Church would reopen Wednesday after Israel's suspension a decision to tax churches in Jerusalem.
In a press statement, Patriarch Theophilos said that the Israeli government did not consult with the church leaders before the suspension.
He welcomed the move as a step towards stopping all plots and acts that target churches in the occupied holy city.
Earlier, the Israeli government decided to suspend the collection of taxes imposed on properties owned by Jerusalem churches.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the West Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat reportedly agreed to establish "a professional team led by Israeli Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, with the participation of all relevant parties, to formulate a solution for the issue of municipal taxes on properties owned by churches that are not houses of worship." (end) nq.ibi