Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM2589
2007-12-18 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH SAID TO BE OFFICIALLY
how-toVZCZCXRO4873 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2589 3521423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181423Z DEC 07 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0055 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002589
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH SAID TO BE OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZED BY GOI
REF: A. AMMAN 02241
B. ATHENS 01021
C. JERUSALEM 225
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer, Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002589
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH SAID TO BE OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZED BY GOI
REF: A. AMMAN 02241
B. ATHENS 01021
C. JERUSALEM 225
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer, Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III
received official Israeli recognition on December 16.
Theophilos told PolOff December 18 that the Patriarchate will
honor previous agreements with the GoI and treat the issue of
properties sold to Israelis as a legal matter. He said
former Patriarch Ireneos is still in residence under Israeli
police protection, but he expects the GoI to facilitate
Ireneos's departure shortly. Theophilos welcomed Israeli
recognition as helpful to the Greek Orthodox Church and to
Israel's Christian communities generally. End summary.
THEOPHILOS RECOGNIZED BY GOI
--------------
2. (C) The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III told
PolOff December 18 that Israeli Minister Rafi Eitan informed
the Patriarchate in Jerusalem December 16 that the Israeli
cabinet had recognized him. He said he is still waiting for
official GOI documents, but described this as a technicality.
Theophilos said the Patriarchate will honor all former
agreements with the GoI and treat the issue of Greek Orthodox
properties in East Jerusalem sold to the Israelis by former
Patriarch Ireneos as a legal matter.
FORMER PATRIARCH STILL IN RESIDENCE,
DEPARTURE EXPECTED SHORTLY
--------------
3. (C) Theophilos told PolOff that Ireneos is still in his
apartment at the Greek Orthodox monastery in Jerusalem's Old
City and under Israeli police protection. He said he expects
the GoI to facilitate Ireneos's departure from ISRAEL and
described the situation at the monastery as sensitive but
calm, noting that monastery residents are trying not to
antagonize Ireneos.
RECOGNITION OF THEOPHILOS GOOD
FOR ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES
--------------
4. (C) Theophilos said his recognition will enable the Greek
Orthodox Church to work with the GoI on a range of
unspecified issues. He said Christian leaders from other
denominations also welcomed Israel's recognition, because the
Greek Orthodox Church is often at the forefront of local
Christian issues.
DUFFY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH SAID TO BE OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZED BY GOI
REF: A. AMMAN 02241
B. ATHENS 01021
C. JERUSALEM 225
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer, Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III
received official Israeli recognition on December 16.
Theophilos told PolOff December 18 that the Patriarchate will
honor previous agreements with the GoI and treat the issue of
properties sold to Israelis as a legal matter. He said
former Patriarch Ireneos is still in residence under Israeli
police protection, but he expects the GoI to facilitate
Ireneos's departure shortly. Theophilos welcomed Israeli
recognition as helpful to the Greek Orthodox Church and to
Israel's Christian communities generally. End summary.
THEOPHILOS RECOGNIZED BY GOI
--------------
2. (C) The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III told
PolOff December 18 that Israeli Minister Rafi Eitan informed
the Patriarchate in Jerusalem December 16 that the Israeli
cabinet had recognized him. He said he is still waiting for
official GOI documents, but described this as a technicality.
Theophilos said the Patriarchate will honor all former
agreements with the GoI and treat the issue of Greek Orthodox
properties in East Jerusalem sold to the Israelis by former
Patriarch Ireneos as a legal matter.
FORMER PATRIARCH STILL IN RESIDENCE,
DEPARTURE EXPECTED SHORTLY
--------------
3. (C) Theophilos told PolOff that Ireneos is still in his
apartment at the Greek Orthodox monastery in Jerusalem's Old
City and under Israeli police protection. He said he expects
the GoI to facilitate Ireneos's departure from ISRAEL and
described the situation at the monastery as sensitive but
calm, noting that monastery residents are trying not to
antagonize Ireneos.
RECOGNITION OF THEOPHILOS GOOD
FOR ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES
--------------
4. (C) Theophilos said his recognition will enable the Greek
Orthodox Church to work with the GoI on a range of
unspecified issues. He said Christian leaders from other
denominations also welcomed Israel's recognition, because the
Greek Orthodox Church is often at the forefront of local
Christian issues.
DUFFY