The Greek Orthodox Church says it has filed a new lawsuit against a Jewish settler group in a bid to overturn an Israeli Supreme Court decision upholding the sale of three properties in predominantly Palestinian parts of Jerusalem's Old City.
The patriarchate claimed in a statement Monday that it had "clear proof" of corruption in the long-disputed 2004 sale of Old City properties, including two Palestinian-run hotels.
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The Greek Orthodox church is one of the biggest private landowners in the Holy Land and in recent years has stirred controversy both among Israelis and Palestinians by trying to sell prime assets to private investors.
In June, the court ruled in favor of the Israeli organization, which seeks to increase the Jewish presence in Palestinian areas of the holy city.
Most Orthodox Christians in Jerusalem are Palestinian, and the sale of the properties to Israelis sparked outrage.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III has condemned a contentious 2004 deal, brokered by his predecessor, Patriarch Irenaios, as "illegal." Irenaios sold 124 acres of land in west Jerusalem to undisclosed Israeli developers for a reported $32 million, a move that cost him his office position.
