A contested development launched by a Jewish businessman threatens the Armenian Christian presence in Jerusalem, according to the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in the Holy Land.

Armenian-Christians have had a presence in Jerusalem since the fourth Century and occupy one quarter of the Old City. There is also a Jewish Quarter, a Muslim Quarter and a Christian Quarter of non-Armenian Christians.

November saw radical armed Jewish settlers aided by dogs and bulldozers disrupt a long-running sit-in at a site known as the ‘Cow’s Garden’, where Australian-Israeli businessman Danny Rothman plans to build a hotel.

“The provocations that are being used by the alleged developers to deploy incendiary tactics threaten to erase the Armenian presence in the area, weakening and endangering the Christian presence in the Holy Land,” the statement of all the Christian Patriarchs in Jerusalem said.

Mr Rothman’s Xana Capital Group reportedly made a secret deal in 2021 with the Armenian Christian patriarchate for a 99 year lease of a swath of the Armenian Quarter, which includes part of the Armenian Theological Seminary and several family homes.

When the deal became public, the local Christian community reacted with outrage.

The Armenian Patriarchate has since repudiated the deal, declaring it null and void.