Even Sapir - Seven Greek Catholic monks barricaded themselves inside their monastery on the edge of Jerusalem yesterday as Israeli bailiffs began enforcing a court eviction ruling. The monastery has been in a long-running feud with the rival Franciscan order.
The black-robed monks of St John in the Desert locked themselves in the prayer room of the monastery as bailiffs carted away their belongings, including pews, oriental rugs, beds and other furniture.
The Franciscans, who say the monks owe back rent, want to convert the monastery into a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts.