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Israel to Pay Compensation to Jerusalem Churches for War Damages

May 24, 1968
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Israel has agreed to pay compensation to three major churches in Jerusalem for damages to their property in fighting since the 1948 War of Independence, regardless of which side was responsible for the damage, it was learned here today. The amount was not disclosed but it is believed to run into several million Israel pounds.

The churches involved, the chief holders of church property in Jerusalem, are the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian Orthodox and the custodians of Terra Sancta, an organ of the Vatican. Some of the property is located in what was a “no-man’s land” between the Old and New Cities of Jerusalem. Under the agreement, the Greek and Latin churches have placed a 9,800-square-yard belt of land around the Old City wall at Israel’s disposal. It will be transformed into a landscaped area.

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