Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat recently declared his intention to collect taxes on church properties in Jerusalem not used specifically as houses of worship. This change would represent a significant shift in the Status Quo. Mayor Barkat claims that the churches owe approximately $186 million USD in back taxes. Collecting back taxes also represents a departure from Israeli legal precedent. Learn more from CMEP’s executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon when she discussed this issue on Israeli news.