Christians in Palestine mark Easter in Jerusalem despite restrictions imposed by Israel

Thousands of Christians marked Easter in occupied East Jerusalem amid tight Israeli police restrictions. On Great Friday, checkpoints in the Old City of Jerusalem set up by the Israeli police held Palestinian Christians and Christian pilgrims, including those from Egypt, Ethiopia, and Greece, for hours before reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

The following day, during the ceremony of Holy Fire, the restrictions by the authorities became even more rigid. One barrier was set up inside the Old City near Damascus Gate, compelling pilgrims and tourists to take unfamiliar alternative routes to reach the vicinity of the Church of Holy Sepulchre. In addition, metal barriers handled by Israeli border police were put throughout the Christian quarter in the Old City. 

Yousef Daher, a Palestinian Christian from occupied East Jerusalem, told The New Arab that Israeli police impediments during the Easter holidays started 15 years ago. However, new, more restrictive measures were introduced in the last two years. 

"They started putting limits on the number of believers who can enter the Holy Sepulchre," Daher said, adding, "One would see checkpoints from the New Gate all the way to the Holy Sepulchre." 

The Israeli police have claimed capacity limits to the event as the reason behind the measures, initially saying it would allow only 1,800 believers inside but later revising the number to 2,200. 

Church officials said several attempts were made to coordinate with the Israeli police, but the talks did not yield an understanding. 

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, in a statement, dismissed the police measures describing them as "unreasonable and unprecedented restrictions on access to the Holy Sepulchre." 

The statement added, "These heavy-handed restrictions will limit access to the Church of The Holy Sepulchre and the Holy Light ceremony." 

With police barricades throughout the Christian quarter, tempers flared. 

Pilgrims who travelled to witness the "miracle" of the "Holy Light" were deeply disappointed by the police restraints, with many attempting to defy them. 

"I am sick, you know," an elderly woman pleaded, hoping the police officer would let her through the metal barrier. The officer apathetically said he had no orders to let anyone pass. 

One Egyptian man told the police he had been waiting hours to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

"There are elderly people here; they cannot stay standing for long hours," a woman pilgrim from Ethiopia with a traditional white shawl wrapped around her said to TNA. 

"That is just too much," reflecting on the restrictive measures in place. 

Such measures, Daher said, discourage many Palestinian Christians and pilgrims alike from attending one of Christianity's most meaningful events.

Adding that the restrictions were a deliberate Israeli policy to suppress the Christian identity of Jerusalem. 

"Many who see scenes of Israeli police actions towards believers become discouraged and opt not to come...they do all they can to make us turn away from Jerusalem."

On Saturday, many Palestinian Christians wait for the Holy Fire in the alleys surrounding the Holy Sepulchre to make room in the Church for the pilgrims who come from abroad. As a tradition, Holy Fire is also passed from rooftop to rooftop throughout the Christian quarter. 

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Western and most orthodox Christian churches follow different calendars and observe Easter on other dates. 

Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem experience frequent violence from Israeli settlers and forces and both Christian and Muslim holy places come under attack.