JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – The recent brutal attack on the Armenian Quarter in East Jerusalem has sparked outrage from the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention. The attack, carried out by armed mobs associated with Israeli-Australian businessman Danny Rubenstein, has raised concerns about the protection of cultural heritage and the well-being of the Armenian residents in the area.
The violence, which took place on December 28, 2023, left several Armenians injured, including a priest and students of the Theological Seminary. This attack follows a series of incidents stemming from a controversial land development deal that was canceled by the Armenian Patriarchate in November. The deal, which would have allowed Rubenstein’s company to build a luxury hotel on the property, faced opposition from the local Armenian community, the Armenian Diaspora, and Palestinian authorities.
Prior to the recent attacks, Jerusalemite Armenians had been facing harassment from Israeli extremists, including an incident at an Armenian restaurant in the Christian Quarter of East Jerusalem. The ongoing harassment and threats, coupled with the land development dispute, pose a significant threat to the historic Armenian community in the area.
The Lemkin Institute highlighted the broader context of the attacks, linking them to the climate of violence against Christians in Israel and the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The institute emphasized the need for international attention and protection for the Armenian Quarter to prevent further escalation against the community.
In response to the events in East Jerusalem, the Lemkin Institute stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing warning signs of potential mass atrocities and genocide. The institute also expressed full support for the resistance of Jerusalemite Armenians and called on relevant authorities to ensure the safety and territorial integrity of the Armenian Quarter and the rest of East Jerusalem.
The recent attacks on the Armenian Quarter in East Jerusalem have raised concerns about the protection of cultural heritage and the safety of the Armenian residents in the area. The ongoing dispute over land development and the broader political context of the attacks have prompted calls for international attention and support to prevent further escalation against the Armenian community.