The Armenians of Jerusalem & the Armenian Quarter: Historical, Legal & Existential Challenges.
Armenians have lived in Jerusalem since the 4th century. They are one of the Armenian diaspora's oldest communities. The Armenian Quarter is one of the famed four sectors of the walled Old City of Jerusalem. But their presence in Jerusalem has historically not always been easy, and this continues today, not least with the recent leasing of a considerable plot of land to Australian developers linked with expanding Israeli settlements.
Meanwhile, on 21 June 2024, Armenia recognised Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of UN countries worldwide in doing so. If we are to reflect on what the future of Armenians in the Holy Lands may resemble, it is of pressing importance today to understand the intricate dynamics surrounding those events. Dr Harry Hagopian, an interpreter of this region’s politics, a public international lawyer who was a second-track-negotiator on behalf of the Armenian and 12 other historical Churches in Jerusalem during the Oslo chapter, a lecturer, an author and a consultant, will expertly and cautiously guide us through the complex geopolitical positions of Armenians in the Holy Land. His talk will come back on the history of the Armenian community there, outlining ecumenical, legal and contemporary challenges befalling the Armenian Quarter. It will also tackle the latest issues associated with the settlers' movement.
This event is part of Living | Building | Together: The Armenian Institute's Festival of Architecture, funded by the British Council.
About Dr Harry Hagopian
Ever since the COVID pandemic, Dr Harry Hagopian has chosen to be a freelance consultant advising institutions, think-tanks, churches and lobbyists in the UK and the European Union on legal, political and ecumenical issues.
Previously, he was involved in Track II negotiations (backchannel diplomacy) on behalf of all 13 Churches of the Holy Land during the Oslo process between Israel and Palestine whilst simultaneously heading the Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee. Earlier, he was Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches in Lebanon & Cyprus where he focused on international advocacy and humanitarian relief work in Iraq and Jordan.
Prior to this phase, and after practising law in Scotland, Dr Hagopian was appointed Legal Counsel of Saba & Co (legal practitioners for intellectual property rights, affiliates of Touche-Ross International) in Cyprus where he also participated in drafting the legislation for Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.
Academically, first in France and then in the UK, Harry earned his law degrees in common (UK) and civil (French) laws, followed by a doctorate in Public International Law. He later achieved a Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution & Legal Anthropology and has been involved with the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Harry has published books on the Armenian Church in the Holy Land, on the Israel-Palestine conflict, on blasphemy and the Satanic verses and on conflict resolution in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also features in a monthly flagship podcast, Middle East Analysis, in association with the Catholic Church.
He also worked for three years as political and legal enabler on the issue of the Armenian Genocide in the UK. His efforts, and those of his team, led to the recognition of the genocide in Wales & Scotland.
Harry speaks five languages, has been made a Knight of both the Orders of St Gregory & of the Ecumenical Order of St Lazarus and is a fellow at Sorbonne III University in Paris. A favourite hobby for relaxation is piano-playing.
