Heads of churches say Israeli government is requiring they pay real estate tax, distressing status quo

By JULIA FRANKEL

Associated Press

JERUSALEM-- The heads of significant Christian denominations in Israel state that local governments across the nation are demanding they pay real estate tax, breaching a longstanding arrangement in a way they state reflects growing intolerance for Christians in the Holy Land. The church leaders penned a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today saying that the actions taken by four Israeli towns amount to a collective attack on Christianity. They stated the towns, consisting of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, have actually issued cautioning letters demanding payment of tax debt and starting legal procedures versus them.