By Daoud Kuttab

The former senior Armenian bishop, Baret Yeretzian has said that he was involved in arranging a “gift” to the Armenian convent in Bethlehem from the Jewish investor involved in the long-term lease of the Jerusalem property.

In answer to a question about the controversial land sale Barett Yeretzian who was defrocked by the Armenian Patriarchate said that he arranged for an improvement in the Bethlehem church: “The signing of the contract was on July 8th, 2021. On that day after signing the contract I asked the investor, Danny Rothman, about a donation to build an elevator in Bethlehem Armenian convent on the request of the patriarch. The donation was 75,000 dollars and the elevator was built through his generous donation.”

Hagop Djernazian an activist opposed to the land deal in the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem expressed astonishment at the news. “What a shame that they asked for a donation from the investor to build the elevator in Bethlehem.”

Palestinian officials in the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine were surprised to learn about the elevator issue but refused to make any comments.

Father Aghan the spokesperson of the Armenian Patriarchate also chose not to speak at the present time. “For now, we do not want to comment, but one day we will make a detailed statement where we will explain everything.”

for further details on the ‘investor” read the expose by the New Arab entitled Who is Daniel Rothman You can access the investigative report here.

Also you can read an important interview with Armenian activist Hagop Djernazian with the Armenian website Keghyart.org here.

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