Haaretz
Nisan 22, 5765
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch
of Jerusalem sold properties inside the Jaffa Gate to a Jewish company to
prove to Israel that he does not sympathize with Palestinians and the PLO,
Nikos Papadimas, the former financial manager of the patriarchate, told
Haaretz on Saturday. Papadimas, who signed the deal in the name of the
Patriarch Irineos I, has fled Israel to an unknown destination. Irineos
has accused him of embezzling patriarchy funds.
The Israeli
government refused to approve Irineos' election as Jerusalem's patriarch
for two years as ministers accused him of hating Israel and being close to
Yasser Arafat.
In January 2004, the government gave its approval
for his appointment, as required by tradition. Irineos negotiated the sale
of the properties to a Jewish buyer and signed the deal soon afterward, in
what could be seen as a payoff for making his installation as patriarch
possible. The land's buyer is concealing his identity, apparently fearing
international criticism of Israel for continuing to sponsor the
acquisition of property in East Jerusalem.
The deal was signed by
an offshore company registered in the Bahamas. Papadimas said the company
deposited a $1.5 million advance into one of the patriarchy's accounts and
that one of its representatives has started talks with the Djani family,
which has been leasing the Imperial Hotel for 70 years, to evacuate
it.