Latin Patriarchate Sues Israeli Defense Ministry and Jewish Agency Over Land Dispute

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has filed a lawsuit for 4.5 million shekels against the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Jewish Agency, the agricultural farm "Adis Alem," and the moshav Mevoh Horon. The Patriarchate claims that land belonging to it in the village of Latrun, near the Trappist monastery, was illegally seized. The Patriarchate, a body of the Roman Catholic Church overseeing Catholic communities in Jordan, Judea, Samaria, and Cyprus, asserts that the disputed plot, located beyond the "green line," was occupied without legal basis. According to the lawsuit, a Catholic church court ruled in 2011 that rights to the land transferred to the Patriarchate from the late Victoria al-Kattan. The Patriarchate alleges that in 2019, the farm "Adis Alem" was established on this land, apparently with permission from the state, the Jewish Agency, and the moshav. The Patriarchate states it has been seeking registration of its rights in the land registry of Judea and Samaria since 2019, but faced bureaucratic hurdles from the Civil Administration. In late 2024, a military appeals commission, with state consent, approved the Patriarchate's complaint against the refusal to register, and about a year later, it received proof of ownership. Throughout this period, the Patriarchate's requests to evict the occupiers were ignored. The farm claimed it leased the land from the agency and the moshav, directing the Patriarchate to the registered owners. The Patriarchate argues that "Adis Alem," described in media as a non-profit aiding Ethiopian immigrants, presented itself as an entrepreneurial company, indicating the land was occupied for commercial purposes. The plaintiff insists the plot was never state property, rendering all decisions regarding its allocation illegal. The Patriarchate is asking the court to order the defendants to vacate the land and pay 4.5 million shekels for its use.