Limited Easter Celebrations in Jerusalem Churches Due to Israeli Restrictions
(وكالة أنباء العالم العربي) - Churches observing the Western calendar celebrated Easter Sunday in the city of Jerusalem, where an Easter Mass was held in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre amid Palestinian accusations that the Israeli authorities prevented Christians from the West Bank from participating in the celebrations.
The mass was led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, after his procession arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, attended by dozens of people.
Rafi Ghattas, the Public Relations Coordinator of Christian Youth in Palestine, said Easter this year “came with sorrow and agony due to the genocide being committed against our people in the Gaza Strip and all the events being witnessed in Jerusalem, in the West Bank, or in the occupied territories.”
He added, “It is also different this year because our people from the West Bank are not with us; they have been denied entry into Jerusalem by the Israeli occupation authorities, who did not grant permits to Christians from the West Bank or, of course, from Gaza.”
Jordanian deacon Basil Baranseh said, “Unfortunately, this year we had small and subdued celebrations because our people in the West Bank could not obtain permits to enter Jerusalem and join us for the occasion awaited by everyone to celebrate.”
“Ultimately, we gather to show solidarity with the people in Gaza who are suffering from the scourges of the ongoing,” he concluded.