Father Michael
O'Sullivan of Maison D'Abraham in Ras al-Amud accuses police of failing
to protect church, investigate robbery and harassment complaints.
'I
expected more from the only state claiming to be a democracy in the
Middle East'French
Catholic church Maison D'Abraham in east Jerusalem is accusing the
Israel Police of failing to investigate robbery and harassment
complaints filed by the church recently.
"The Israel Police are not protecting us," the church's director,
Father Michael O'Sullivan, told Ynet.
"Only in the past month we had two
incidents with a large Volvo truck which intentionally hit our entrance
gate and escaped. After the second incident we filed a complaint with
the police, but nothing happened. They didn't even send a policeman here
to look into our claims."
Maison D'Abraham, a serene oasis in the midst of the Ras al-Amud
neighborhood, was founded in 1964 at the request of Pope Paul VI during
his visit to the Holy Land. In his vision, the pope saw the church as a
place which would fulfill the needs of Christian pilgrims visiting
Jerusalem without financial means.
Every year, thousands of tourists from all around the world visit the
church, which also serves as a guesthouse. Recently, however, the
church and its tenants have been suffering from harassment and theft.
According to Father O'Sullivan, the recent incidents are only a few
examples of the lawlessness the church's tenants are forced to live
with. "We suffer from burglaries, theft and harassments, but the police
are not doing anything or just pretending to be doing something. About
two years ago we caught a thief red-handed, turned him into the police,
but he was released the next day. Two months later he began stealing
again."
But sometimes, O'Sullivan says, no action is better than a direct
encounter with the police.
"About a month and a half ago, during the
Silwan riots, police forces entered out compound without any permits or
orders and searched the area. They ignored our questions and just
entered without our approval and began moving things around," he said.
According to the church's director, the tenants live with a sense of
insecurity.
"Tourists and pilgrims are regular victims of burglaries,
pickpockets and the theft of purses and passports. There are a number of
known 'hot spots' in Christian centers, like the Seven Arches Hotel,
Via Dolorosa, St. Anne's Church, the Lions Gate, and here too. The
police are aware of the phenomenon, but are not working to defend the
pilgrims and tourists."
Tourism Ministry: Israel's image damaged
The church's director claims that a nearby Jewish settlement, Maale
Zeitim, received much treatment from the law enforcement authorities.
"If only one small thing happens in Moskowitz's settlement (one of the
main Jewish donors to Jewish communities in east Jerusalem), they arrive
in large forces."
This shows that there is discrimination in Jerusalem, he adds. "This
is the real point. The Arab residents, who are an integral part of the
city, and we, are not equal residents in the eyes of the State."
The Vatican office in east Jerusalem was also approached by the church following the incidents.
"Christian churches in Jerusalem have a special status since the
Ottoman era, but we do not feel secure and equal. I expected more from
the only country claiming to be a democracy in the Middle East," says
O'Sullivan.
"I come from Ireland, and I have learned that democracy has its
price. I also come from what is known as 'the free world,' where
citizens are supposed to be treated equally. This is the biggest
challenge to Israeli democracy."
The Tourism Ministry said in response that it "view incidents in
which tourists and tourism sites are harmed as extremely severe. This
causes serious damage to Israel's
image and tourism industry.
"The
ministry is working in cooperation with the Jerusalem Police, which is
responsible for handling and enforcing this issue. Due to its
importance, the ministry has allotted funds to the tourist police
operating in the city. The ministry will be in touch with the church's
director in the coming days to discuss the situation and the required
solutions."
The police have yet to respond to the claims.
SIC: YTN/INT'L