The absence of any progress in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations appears to have increased the Israeli appetite for grabbing more land and strategic locations. The problem seems most acute in Jerusalem and centers on church property in the holy city.

Jerusalem-based churches issued a strongly worded statement Sept. 4 condemning what they called Israel’s attempts to change the status quo in the city. The joint statement, signed by the heads of the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Coptic, Lutheran and Anglican churches, reiterated the importance of governments respecting the rights and privileges of churches.

"We now find ourselves united once again in condemning recent further encroachment on the status quo. In such matters as this, the Heads of the Churches are resolute and united in our opposition to any action by any authority or group that undermines those laws, agreements, and regulations that have ordered our life for centuries,” the statement read.

Of particular interest to the churches are an Israeli court decision and a draft law, both of which affect church properties.