Holy site architect asks police to cap crowd size for safety reasons, but Greek Orthodox Church criticizes 'heavy-handed' restrictions

Greek Orthodox Church criticizes 'heavy-handed' restrictions that police have enacted for a second year at Church of the Holy Sepulchre citing public safety

Israel Police say southern Israel resident wielding iron bar arrested for 'violent incident' at Tomb of the Virgin Mary; eyewitness claims two Jewish men involved

Irineos I, ousted from position in 2005 over allegations he sold patriarchate land to settlers, claimed successor confined him in apartment for over a decade

Remarks come amid deterioration in ties following evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine and growing antisemitic rhetoric from Russian leaders

Supreme Court backs earlier district court ruling rejecting retrial bid. Patriarchate vows to continue supporting Palestinian tenants who face potential eviction