Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem visits Armenian Patriarchate
On April 10, 2025, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Adir Schwartz, accompanied by Mr. Yair Tani, visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and held a meeting with the Chancellor, the Reverend Fr. Aghan Gogchyan.
During the visit, the unpleasant phenomenon of spitting by Jewish extremists toward Christian institutions or clergy was discussed. This is not a new issue in the Old City, but in recent years it has intensified, particularly on the main street located in the heart of the peaceful and quiet Armenian Quarter.
Mr. Schwartz himself witnessed such an incident while waiting to meet Fr. Aghan at the Patriarchate, near the entrance of the Monastery. “As a young man passed in front of the monastery gate, he demonstratively spat twice. I saw this offense with my own eyes, directed at one of the clergy entering. This is shameful. I cannot believe such an act was done in the name of Judaism, because that is not Judaism, nor does it have any connection to Israel,” said the Deputy Mayor during his remarks.
Recognizing the moral responsibility of holding a leadership position in Jerusalem, Mr. Adir Schwartz stated, “Governing our country also means bearing moral responsibility — a responsibility to show tolerant and respectful behavior toward non-Jews, and to combat those disgraceful phenomena that do not reflect our religious values or the spirit of Jerusalem.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Deputy Mayor expressed hope that, as in recent years some progress has been made in reducing this phenomenon, efforts will continue even more earnestly through value-based education, supervision, and personal example, to bring about positive change.
