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Ateret Cohanim

Zuhair Rajabi on the balcony of his home in Silwan, March 31, 2026. (Nurit Yohanan/Times of Israel)
April 9, 2026, 5:22 pm
Evictions in East Jerusalem surge as Palestinians lose court fight against far-right group
Dozens of families in Silwan already removed from their homes, and several more expected to follow, as Ateret Cohanim takes over houses by claiming trusteeship over land of pre-state Jewish owners
By Nurit Yohanan and Charlie Summers
Israeli authorities remove property from a Palestinian home in Silwan during the eviction of 11 families on March 25, 2026. (Peace Now)
March 26, 2026, 12:46 am
11 Palestinian families evicted after court found Jews owned E. Jerusalem land their homes were built on before 1948
1970 law allowing Jews to reclaim property lost before establishment of Israel leads to families being forced from Silwan homes where they have lived for decades
By ToI Staff, AFP and Nurit Yohanan
Movers haul furniture and other belongings out of houses in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, after two Palestinian families were evicted from their homes on November 9, 2025. (Screenshot/X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
November 11, 2025, 11:59 am
As evictions resume in East Jerusalem’s Silwan, residents fear their homes will be next
Rights groups warn of more removals in coming weeks after two families booted from homes, amid decades-long legal struggle for control over neighborhood
By Charlie Summers
The Imperial Hotel (left) and the Petra Hostel (right), located between Jaffa Gate and the Arab market in Jerusalem's Old City, June 21, 2022. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
June 27, 2022, 11:35 am
Old City hotelier facing eviction: ‘Biden, give Christians 10 minutes of your visit’
Abu el-Walid Dajani, whose family has leased Imperial Hotel since 1949, says ‘Palestinian heritage endangered’; new leaseholder Ateret Cohanim: ‘Jews entitled to live everywhere’
By Sue Surkes
The Imperial Hotel next to Jaffa Gate in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City on November 29, 2019. (Gali Tibbon/AFP)
June 15, 2022, 4:17 pm
Russia expresses ‘deep concern’ over Jerusalem church land ruling
Remarks come amid deterioration in ties following evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine and growing antisemitic rhetoric from Russian leaders
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Housing construction in Holon. Illustrative. (100 via iStock by Getty Images)
June 14, 2022, 2:05 pm
Daily Briefing June 14: Country’s under construction, but who can afford the prices?
Environmental correspondent Sue Surkes discusses Greek Orthodox Church real estate and marinas, as real estate reporter Danielle Nagler looks at housing prices and tourist options
By ToI Staff
People walk past the Imperial Hotel located next to the Jaffa Gate in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City on November 29, 2019. (Gali Tibbon/AFP)
June 9, 2022, 7:11 pm
Supreme Court upholds Greek church sales to far-right group, ending legal battle
Top court backs earlier district court ruling rejecting retrial bid. Patriarchate vows to continue supporting Palestinian tenants who face potential eviction
By Sue Surkes
Palestinians sit in a courtroom hearing on evictions in East Jerusalem at Israel's High Court on Monday, October 25, 2021 (Aaron Boxerman/The Times of Israel)
October 26, 2021, 8:18 am
High Court hears potentially decisive East Jerusalem eviction case
Rights groups say decision could set precedent for dozens of other families in ongoing battle for control of Silwan neighborhood
By Aaron Boxerman
A Jewish man stand on the balcony of Ateret Cohanim yeshiva in Jerusalem's Old City, on August 1, 2017. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
October 19, 2021, 7:17 pm
UK Virgin Islands controlled contentious East Jerusalem properties, papers show
Pandora Papers leak details how right-wing group Ateret Cohanim, which settles Jews in Palestinian neighborhoods, let registrations of shell companies lapse
By Asaf Shalev
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III, center, together with the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land Fr Francesco Patton, center-right, and fellow church leaders from different denominations hold an ecumenical prayer outside the Petra hostel at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on July 11, 2019. (GALI TIBBON/AFP)
June 25, 2020, 2:09 pm
Jerusalem court nixes Greek church bid to stop property sale to right-wing group
District court says it won’t block transfer of rights to 3 buildings to Jewish organization Ateret Cohanim; Greek Orthodox Patriarchate says it’ll appeal ruling
By ToI Staff
The Imperial Hotel next to Jaffa Gate in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City on November 29, 2019. (Gali Tibbon/AFP)
December 3, 2019, 1:00 pm
At Jerusalem Old City hotel, eviction fears dampen Christmas cheer
After court temporarily freezes sale of Imperial Hotel to Jewish group, proprietor remains unsure whether ruling will mark a turning point in long-running dispute over the property
By Agencies and ToI Staff
The Imperial Hotel at the Jaffa Gate, the lease to which was sold to the right-wing Ateret Cohanim organization and is the subject of an appeal by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
November 29, 2019, 3:14 pm
Judge orders case reopened in long-running E. Jerusalem church property dispute
District court tells Jewish settlement organization Ateret Cohanim to pay Greek Orthodox Patriarchate NIS 50,000 for legal costs after failing to respond to latest church petition
By ToI Staff
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III (3rd left) together with the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land Fr Francesco Patton (2nd left) and fellow church leaders from different denominations hold an ecumenical prayer outside the Petra hostel at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, on July 11, 2019. (GALI TIBBON/AFP)
August 5, 2019, 9:29 pm
Church renews legal battle over Jerusalem properties, citing new evidence
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate claims discovery of alleged corruption within Ateret Cohanim group is sufficient to overturn Supreme Court ruling on Old City buildings
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III, center, together with the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land Fr Francesco Patton, center-right, and fellow church leaders from different denominations hold an ecumenical prayer outside the Petra hostel at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on July 11, 2019. (GALI TIBBON/AFP)
July 11, 2019, 11:47 pm
Christian leaders protest sale of Jerusalem church properties to Jewish group
Demonstrators pray for peace outside buildings near Old City’s Jaffa Gate leased by Ateret Cohanim organization, condemn ‘extremist groups’ weakening neighborhood identity
By AFP and ToI Staff
Simon and Jana Falic pose for a photo as they participate in the priestly blessing at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Jewish holiday of Passover, on April 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
July 1, 2019, 9:18 pm
US duty free owners give millions to Israeli settlements
Falic family of Florida has donated to settler groups and far-right causes, as well as more mainstream Israeli recipients; has also given more than any other donor to Netanyahu
By Uri Blau and Josef Federman
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