Egypt's Coptic Church exercises soft power in Jerusalem
Egypt seeks to strengthen its religious influence in the city of Jerusalem through the properties and endowments of the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, and also to preserve its ownership of the properties.
Egypt is trying to gain influence in Jerusalem through the properties and endowments owned by the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
An Egyptian member of parliament recently called on the Egyptian state and Foreign Ministry to assist the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in preserving and benefiting from its properties in Jerusalem. Freddy al-Bayadi told the media May 20 that it was important to support the Egyptian Orthodox Church in this respect.
“The Egyptian Orthodox Church is a national institution. Its ownership of endowments and monasteries in Jerusalem helps consolidate Egyptian influence when it comes to Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause,” he added.
Kamal Zakher, a Coptic journalist at Egypt's El-Watan News, told Al-Monitor, “The properties of the Egyptian Church and its presence in Jerusalem fall within the scope of Egyptian soft power, which helps the state spread its popular influence in Jerusalem.”
