Latin Patriarchate Sues for Millions Over Land Invasion Near Latrun

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is suing for 4.5 million shekels, alleging an invasion of its land in the village of Latrun, near the Monastery of the Trappists. The Patriarchate, representing the Vatican in the region and responsible for Catholic churches in Jordan, the West Bank, and Cyprus, claims that the agricultural farm Addis Alem and the community of Mevo Horon illegally established themselves on its property in 2019. These entities, along with the Ministry of Defense and the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization, are named as defendants.

The land in question had its rights confirmed in 2011 by a Catholic court, transferring them from the late Victoria Al-Kattan to the Patriarchate. The lawsuit, filed in the Jerusalem District Court, asserts that the farm's establishment was unlawful, likely based on an allocation or permit from the state, the Jewish Agency, and the Mevo Horon community. The property is located beyond the Green Line, meaning West Bank registration laws apply.

The Patriarchate claims the Civil Administration deliberately obstructed its efforts to register the land for years with "strange tasks" and "numerous bureaucratic demands without clear normative basis." In late 2024, a military appeals committee accepted the Patriarchate's appeal against the Civil Administration's refusal to register its rights, agreeing that registration could proceed. This decision was made with the state's consent.

Despite the appeals committee's ruling and subsequent registration of the Patriarchate's ownership, the defendants have not vacated the land. The Patriarchate has filed complaints demanding the eviction of the invaders, but these have reportedly gone unaddressed by the state. The farm, described in media reports as an association for Ethiopian immigrants involved in agriculture, claims it leased the land from the Jewish Agency and Mevo Horon, directing the Patriarchate to the "legally registered landowners."

The Patriarchate argues that any allocations made by the defendants are illegal because the land is private property, not government land. It contends that none of the defendants have any legitimate right to the property, yet they continue to transfer rights among themselves. The lawsuit seeks a court order for the defendants to vacate the land and pay the Patriarchate 4.5 million shekels in compensation for use.