Abbas lies to the Pope, 5 prime ministers, and a king

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV and other world leaders, falsely accusing Israel of charging municipal taxes against Christian holy sites:

"President Abbas warned against Israel's attempt to impose the municipal property tax known as 'Arnona' on churches, describing the move as an unprecedented and flagrant violation of the historic and legal status quo governing the holy sites."

[WAFA, official PA news agency, English edition, June 27, 2026]

In fact, the municipal property taxes being charged are not on churches but on their commercial properties, such as commercial buildings, guesthouses, and residential areas. This is not against international law or any law for that matter. Israeli law prohibits taxing religious institutions but not their commercial properties.

Abbas sent the libelous letter to many world leaders:

"President Mahmoud Abbas has sent important letters to Pope Leo XIV, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and several world leaders, warning them about the serious situation…, particularly measures taken by the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem against churches and Christian institutions in the city that contravene international law.

The letters were addressed to King Abdullah II of Jordan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Leo XIV, the prime ministers of Greece, Spain, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom, the President of Russia, and the United Nations Secretary-General."

[WAFA, official PA news agency, English edition, June 27, 2026]

The PA spends it time seeking new ways to demonize Israel, and its dissemination of lies and libels around the world are the foundation of this policy. All this is happening while the PA tells the world that it is reforming.