Russia presses Israel over Alexander Courtyard as Jerusalem ownership battle nears de
The Russian ambassador to Israel recently visited the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem, signaling increased pressure to finalize the transfer of the site to Russian ownership. While Moscow claims the process is purely legal and nearing completion, Israeli officials maintain that the matter is still under professional review.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights complex diplomatic tensions between Russia and Israel, with potential implications for international property rights and political maneuvering in Jerusalem.
Moscow is increasing pressure on Israel over the future of the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem’s Old City, as Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov made an unusual visit to the disputed compound on Saturday. Viktorov arrived with a large delegation that included nuns who had traveled from Russia, family members and several embassy employees. The visit came days after the Russian Embassy in Israel said the process of re-registering Russian ownership rights over the Alexander Courtyard was in its “final stages” and that the issue was now “purely legal.” Viktorov made Moscow’s position even clearer in an interview last week with RTVI. “The courtyard is ours, Russia’s courtyard. There is no need for negotiations on this. We only need to complete the legal procedures,” he said.
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