Calcalist: Ukraine wants to sue Russia for St. Sergius' Yard and parking lot in Jerusalem

Ukrainian energy company DTEK filed a petition with the Jerusalem District Court to seize Russian assets – the Sergievskoye Dvorio Hotel and the Maalot parking lot. About writes israeli newspaper Calcalist.

The claim relates to a decision made in 2023 by the Hague Arbitration Court, according to which Ukraine should receive $267 million in compensation for the confiscation of assets by Russia DTEK Krymenergo after the annexation of the peninsula in 2014.

Thus, the Ukrainian side asked the Jerusalem District Court, on the basis of the arbitral award, to impose a temporary seizure of assets currently owned by Russia in Jerusalem.

We are talking about the Sergius' Yard hotel on Heleni ha-Malka Street, built in the late 19th century to serve royal pilgrims, and the Maalot parking lot at the King George-Maalot intersection.

The court in Jerusalem refused to unilaterally impose the arrest, but ordered Israel to forward the petition to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In May, the relevant documents were handed over to the Russian side.

Russia responded through diplomatic channels, complaining about the violation of international law and the short timeframe for responding.

The Jerusalem District Court rejected this position, stating that the Russian government must submit a response directly to the court by the end of August, otherwise the decision will be made on the basis of existing materials.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli government's legal advisor expressed concern that the execution of this court decision could damage the country's diplomatic relations.

As a result, they filed a petition with the Supreme Court to overturn the decision of the Jerusalem District Court. On this basis, the trial was temporarily suspended until a decision on the motion was made.

According to the Israeli law on the immunity of foreign states, the state is protected from recovery under court decisions, but there are exceptions for commercial and real estate property in the country.

This means that if a decision is made in favor of the Ukrainian company, the hotel and parking lot in Jerusalem may still be arrested.

• On April 17, it was reported that the Paris court recognized and authorized the enforcement of the Hague arbitration award, which obliges Russia to pay Naftogaz of Ukraine 5 billion compensation for Crimean assets.