The transfer of church property in Jerusalem’s Old City to Moscow’s hands is at the top of the Israel-Russia diplomatic agenda, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin says.
“The topic of Alexander’s Courtyard has long been at the top of the agenda of Russian-Israeli relations,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells reporters, a day after Hebrew media reported that Putin had sent a letter to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett demanding that the property be given over.
He added that Russia expected Israel to do what is necessary to hand the property over.
Moscow has for years been seeking to secure the Alexander’s Courtyard church compound, but a recent court decision set back its plans by nullifying recognition of its claims to the complex, located near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
A nun praying in the Alexander Nevsky Church, adjacent to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on April 11, 2022. (Amanda Borschel-Dan/Times of Israel)
Officials in Jerusalem fear the issue could harm Russo-Israel ties, Ynet reported.
Bennett has been criticized for showing deference to Russia vis-a-vis Ukraine, refusing to send weapons and refraining from blaming Moscow for alleged atrocities. The moves are thought to be aimed at keeping Russia from targeting Israeli planes on bombing runs over Syria.
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