Moscow has for years been seeking to secure the Alexander’s Courtyard church compound, but a recent court decision set back its plans by nullifying recognition of its claims to the complex, located near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The report said the letter indicates the importance that Moscow attaches to the matter, and that Jerusalem officials are worried the subject could exacerbate tensions with Russia, already on the rise over its invasion of Ukraine.
Last month, the Jerusalem District Court annulled a decision giving the Russian government control of Alexander’s Courtyard.
Israel has tried to balance good ties with Russia needed for security operations in Syria against the growing international alarm at the conflict in Ukraine, where Moscow faces accusations of war crimes and genocide following the February invasion of its neighbor. READ MORE
