Overview

• On May 28, an Egyptian appeals court ruled that St Catherine’s Monastery occupies state-owned land but affirmed monks’ right to use the property and nearby religious sites.
• Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelaaty on June 4 in Cairo, where both sides agreed to collaborate on safeguarding the monastery’s legal status.
• Egypt’s Foreign Ministry stressed the ruling does not alter the site’s spiritual standing, echoing President al-Sisi’s commitment to maintaining its sacred character.
• Established in the sixth century, the UNESCO World Heritage Site holds deep significance for Christianity, Islam and Judaism and preserves rare manuscripts and the biblical burning bush.
• UNESCO has urged Egypt to halt further development of a nearby tourism megaproject, which has drawn criticism for environmental damage and strained local Bedouin infrastructure.