![Image of Russian Orthodox monastery in Hebron [Mamoun Wazwaz/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2013_1_3-Russian-Orthodox-monastery-in-Hebron.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
PA President Mahmoud Abbas is facing an official complaint from a family in Hebron following his decision to transfer the ownership of almost 18 acres of Islamic Waqf (religious endowment) land to the Russian Orthodox Church. The complaint has been filed to the Corruption Commission by the Tamim family in the southern West Bank city.
Abbas ordered the registration of the land to be changed to the church on 4 January, despite a decision of the Supreme Court of Justice dated 23 June last year to halt all proceedings relating to the PA granting ownership of the land in question.
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Rouhi Yacoub Abu-Ermeileh is one of the complainants. He explained that the PA president has refused to respond to the family’s demands, which include a petition signed by 60,000 citizens who refuse to grant the land to the church.
“The Al-Tamim family and residents of Hebron have no problem with the Russian Orthodox Church,” he added. “The problem began when the church decided to acquire the land and was supported by the Palestinian Authority.”