RAMALLAH, July 4, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian government condemned on Tuesday an alleged property ownership deal between the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and an Israeli developer, according to a statement issued at the conclusion of the cabinet’s weekly meeting held in Ramallah.

The government said the deal, known as the “Rahavia Deal,” if true, would not serve the interest of the Greek Orthodox community in Palestine.

It called on the church to cancel the deal and to stop leasing or selling church property, which should be utilized to serve members of the Christian community and their steadfastness in their homeland.

Reports said the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III signed a deal with an Israeli developer giving him control over a church-owned property in the center of West Jerusalem.

M.K.