Gaza:

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported a large-scale and coordinated physical assault targeting bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, and other members of the Armenian community in Jerusalem. The statement revealed that numerous priests, students from the Armenian Theological Academy, and local Armenians sustained serious injuries during the attack.

Armenian Patriarchate Chancellor Aghan Gogchyan said the assailants utilized pepper spray and other chemicals on seminary students, leading to the hospitalization of several victims. Armenian community leaders said the assault is linked to a legal case involving an ongoing property dispute. The incident involved a group of 30 extremist Israeli settlers, dressed in black with ski masks and carrying weapons. The assailants forcefully entered the premises of the Cow's Garden, initiating a brutal assault. Images and a video capturing the incident were shared on social media.

Shortly before 1 pm, individuals armed with sticks, stones, and tear-gas grenades arrived in another effort to forcibly displace the Armenian community from the area. Armenians engaged in a confrontation with the Jewish settlers until the police intervened. As per the Movement for the Protection and Preservation of the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, two young Armenians were arrested after the armed attack in "Cow’s Garden” (Goveroun Bardez).

The area belongs to the Armenian Patriarchate, yet it has become a target for disruptions instigated by Jewish settlers. The Armenian clerics in Jerusalem are now grappling for their lives in the face of these audacious provocateurs. They said that a violent response followed the submission of a lawsuit to the District Court of Jerusalem concerning the Cow's Garden. The lawsuit, officially received by the court less than 24 hours before the incident, has led to what the Patriarchate describes as a criminal reaction from Australian-Israeli businessman Danny Rothman (Rubenstein) and George Warwar (Hadad) towards the legal proceedings.

The statement issued by the Patriarchate emphasized that the existential threat to the Armenian Patriarchate has now manifested as a physical reality. The Patriarchate urgently called on global authorities and international media for assistance in preventing a violent demise of the Armenian Quarter, which it claims is locally supported by unspecified entities.
The Patriarchate specifically appealed to the Israeli Government and Police to initiate an investigation against Rubenstein and Hadad for orchestrating continuous criminal attacks on the Armenian Patriarchate and Community. The Patriarchate contends that Israel, as a state of law and order, cannot tolerate such criminal behaviour and demands that it be appropriately addressed and punished.

The controversy was initiated when an Australian Jewish developer, Danny Rothman secured a 99-year lease on part of the Armenian Quarter, effectively taking control away from the community. The intermediary who facilitated and signed the deed is Baret Yeretzian, the former director of the Patriarchate's Real Estate Office, now in "exile."
Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian, and developer Danny Rothman, who intends to construct a luxury hotel on the site, were implicated in the controversial transaction. The repercussions have extended to the Armenian Patriarchate, with the primate losing the trust of the community, prompting calls for his resignation. Additionally, Jordan and Palestine no longer recognize his authority.

The controversy, which surfaced in May, saw the secretive signing of the 99-year lease agreement in July 2021. The lease encompasses "Cow's Garden," currently serving as a parking lot for visitors to the Wailing Wall. The Jewish utilization of this space has sparked anger among Armenians, who have been striving since 2021 to regain full control. The lease agreement also includes other properties, such as four Armenian residences, the Boulghourji restaurant, stores, and the Tourianashen buildings on Jaffa Road, situated outside the Old City. The controversy has even touched on the Abraham Accords, as one of the involved companies is One&Only, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.