Russia is pressing Israel to transfer control of the Church of St Alexander Nevsky in Jerusalem’s Old City, following a stalled ownership process that emerged after Israel secured the release of an Israeli prisoner held in Russia.
The dispute centers on a church currently administered by Ukrainian Orthodox nuns and has become entangled in Israeli court proceedings, cabinet-level review, and Moscow’s broader diplomatic engagement with Jerusalem. We reached out to the Kremlin and the Israeli Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The case highlights Israel’s balancing act between Russia and Ukraine as Moscow seeks symbolic religious and political gains during its war in Ukraine. Control of a site near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre would mark Russia’s first property inside Jerusalem’s Old City.
The outcome could affect Israel’s relations with Western allies backing Kyiv, while also setting a precedent for how politically sensitive holy sites are handled under Israeli law.
What To Know
The Alexander Nevsky Church was founded in the late 19th century by the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and is currently run by Ukrainian nuns. Russian officials have sought its transfer, arguing historical and religious ties to Russia.
The issue gained momentum in 2020 after then–Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened to secure the release of Naama Issachar, an Israeli-American detained in Russia on drug charges. Israeli land authorities later initiated administrative steps to transfer the church’s ownership.
In 2022, Israeli courts froze the transfer following a petition by the IOPS, which argued that under Israeli law inherited from the British Mandate, decisions involving politically sensitive holy sites require approval by the Israeli cabinet, not administrative agencies alone.
Caveat: Court filings do not establish that any formal agreement existed between Israel and Russia linking the prisoner release to the church transfer. No written commitment has been published by either government, according to publicly available records.
What People Are Saying
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said Russia’s effort to secure the church is “at the top” of Moscow’s diplomatic agenda with Israel.
Sergei Stepashin, former Russian prime minister, accused Israel of trying to “please everyone,” speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem following the court ruling.
Sister Elizabeth Yakymchuk, who oversees the church on behalf of the IOPS, said a Russian takeover would likely force the Ukrainian nuns out, adding that the site “has never belonged to a state.”
What Happens Next
The dispute is now under review by an Israeli government committee tasked with examining ownership issues involving sensitive religious sites. Additional meetings are expected in the coming months, according to the Israeli Ministry of Justice.
