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"The Greek Orthodox Church - owner of many important properties in
Jerusalem, such as the Knesset and the President's Residence -
continues its staunch support of the Palestinian AuthorityIsrael news
reported yesterday. The "Palestine Information" internet site,
sponsored by Hamas, reports that on Israel's recent Independence Day,
Church spokesman Atallah Hana convened a large gathering in support of
the Arab fight against Israel. The gathering took place in the
Dehaishe refugee camp, near Bethlehem.

"The 'right of return,'" Hana said, "is not up for negotiation at all,
and no Palestinian has the right to cede it. Whoever does so is not a
Palestinian." Regarding the Road Map, he said, "After the fall of
Baghdad [to the Americans,] they want us now to surrender to the Road
Map that has an end but no beginning. They want us to give up to the
American-Zionist empire - but we will never give up."

The Greek Orthodox Church owns the land on which stand many important
buildings in Jerusalem: The Knesset, the Prime Minister's Residence,
the President's Residence, Heichal Shlomo and the Great Synagogue, and
more. Its spokesman said at the rally, "It is not out of the question
for the Palestinians to regain Jerusalem. But this is only if the
Palestinians remain firm and united… We will not give up to terrorist
Zionism."

Hana has paid solidarity visits to terrorist families, Arutz-7's
Shimon Cohen reports, and he took part in an exhibition of photos
glorifying the PA warfare against the IDF in Bethlehem during
Operation Defensive Shield.

Despite periodic attempts by the Greek Orthodox Church to downplay
Hana's importance, Cohen reports that at a recent Easter celebration,
Irineos - a leading candidate to head the Greek Orthodox Church in
Israel - greeted Hana with kisses and hugs, seated him to his right,
and had him translate his Greek remarks into Arabic for the audience.

Prime Minister Sharon wished to appoint Irineos as head of the Greek
Orthodox Church late last year, but backed down in the face of heavy
objections from most government ministers. Arutz-7 revealed a letter


because of his close connections with Arafat and his past offers to
grant church-owned lands in Jerusalem to the PA.