Today, we received alerts from the Armenian community in Jerusalem that around 12 noon, 30 organized masked and armed persons carried out an invasion of the grounds known as “The Cow’s Garden” in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.
Armed with electric shock devices, metal rods and stones, they attacked the peaceful Armenian community and clergy, including bishops, priests, and deacons, in a life-threatening manner, all the while cursing and shouting obscenities.
The published videos clearly show the armed and masked persons attacking and striking the members of the Armenian community and the Armenian clergy.
As a result, the health of the representatives of the Armenian community and clergy sustained injuries and damages, including severely wounded persons. Two (2) representatives of the Armenian community who were attacked were subsequently detained and are in police custody. A number of the members of the armed group that carried out the attack were also taken to the local police station.
According to the alerts, although the Police is only 100 meters away from the place called “The Cow’s Garden”, the Police did not arrive until 20 minutes after the attacked commenced.
These criminal acts are not only armed attacks on the Armenian community, but also on the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian Quarter, posing a vital threat.
We have discussed these critical issues with the Armenian community of Jerusalem and are in direct contact with them regarding the evolving situation. All the of stated facts are confirmed by the representatives of the Armenian community on the ground.
