The Jerusalem District Court reverses the transfer of a Russian Orthodox Church property in Jerusalem’s Old City to Russia’s ownership, kicking the issue to the Israeli government.
Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved giving Alexander’s Courtyard to Russia in 2020, a move seen as a goodwill gesture for Russia’s release of an Israeli woman it imprisoned after a small quantity of marijuana was found in her backpack during a layover in Moscow.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by the Orthodox Palestine society of Holy Land, which owned Alexander’s Courtyard until it was given to Russia.
The court decision comes amid the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Israel, which enjoys close ties with both countries, has largely refrained from condemning Moscow, apparently due to ensure it can continue to act against Iranian-linked targets in Syria, where Russia maintains a military presence.
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