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The struggle for Jerusalem’s Old City

Why Armenians in Jerusalem say they are fighting an existential battle. Emily Wither reports on a contested land deal that could change the character of the city.

Why Armenians in Jerusalem say they are fighting an existential battle.
Is the identity of the Old City of Jerusalem changing - house by house? This small patch of land is of vital importance to Christians, Muslims and Jews alike. But, amid accusations of dodgy deals, corruption and trickery, there are concerns that the Old City’s historic multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity is being altered. In the Armenian Quarter a battle is going on for the control of land which the local community says is essential to its well-being and even its survival. Emily Wither visits one of the most contested cities in the world.

Presenter: Emily Wither
Producer: John Murphy
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill
Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy

Music: Apo Sahagian

(Image: The Cow’s Garden car park in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter. Credit: John Murphy/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ)

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27 minutes

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Sun 1 Sep 2024 18:32GMT
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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