The New York Times reports "the Greek Orthodox Church, a major landowner here, reportedly sold two modest, Palestinian-run hotels in Jerusalem's Old City to Jewish investors from abroad. The Greek patriarch, Eirinaios, [the handsome devil at left] has repeatedly denied the report. But his claims have met with deep skepticism, and the episode has touched some of the most sensitive nerves in the Holy Land, igniting a controversy that stretches far beyond the ancient stone streets of the Old City."
The Greeks are furious. The Palestinians are furious. The Jordanians, who have maintained a custodial role for Christian and Muslim religious sites. are furious. The Jews are jubilant: "Omar Square is in our hands," screamed Maariv, on March 18.
Meanwhile, Eirinaios is denying everything and blaming his kanoim.
"I would like to confirm that I did not carry out any property deal, and I confirm that even if such a thing took place through fraud or any other manner, then we will coordinate with the legal consultants to annul these illegal measures," he said Thursday in Amman, Jordan.
[The patriarch] blamed unidentified rivals seeking to oust him for the latest uproar."