It is reported that the South Sinai administration is pursuing a court case for control of two thirds of the lands of Saint Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The monastery was founded in the 6th century at the supposed site of the burning bush and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world. It holds a unique collection of Byzantine icons and manuscripts, second in importance only to that of the Vatican. Although it stands in Egypt, the monastery falls under the jurisdiction of the Church of Greece, a right that was confirmed as far back as the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Greece and Egypt officially affirm their intention to preserve the historical status quo. Yet a court ruling in Egypt's favour, together with a parallel project for large-scale tourist development of Sinai, with hotels, an airport and supporting infrastructure, gives rise to fears that the monastery will lose its autonomy and be turned into a tourist attraction. Should Egypt be granted rights to two thirds of the monastery's lands, the monks risk losing the agricultural land that supplies them with water and olives. Moreover, the ruling could affect the monks' right to remain in Egypt, since they are not citizens of the country.