Outrage after Israeli forces arrest Greek envoy's bodyguard in Jerusalem

Greece's main opposition party has voiced outrage after Israeli forces arrested the bodyguard of the Greek general consular of Jerusalem on Saturday.

The Syriza party said it had demanded an explanation from the foreign ministry over the "unprecedented incident", which took place outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as Orthodox Christians marked Easter.

"SYRIZA requests the immediate provision of clarifications from the foreign ministry regarding the unprecedented incident of the arrest of a member of the guard of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem by the Israeli forces at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, during the ceremony of the Touching of the Holy Light," it said in a statement.

"We anticipate a reaction of the Greek government towards the Israeli side, in line with the seriousness of the episode," the statement added.

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli forces forcibly removed and arrested the Greek consul's bodyguard in the occupied East Jerusalem while inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

It was not immediately clear the reason for the arrest but witnesses said there was a quarrel between Israeli forces and the consul's guard.

Considered one of the holiest places in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in occupied East Jerusalem.

It is of great importance to Christians who believe that Jesus Christ was crucified there and then ascended to heaven.

Church prayers and mass were held in major Palestinian cities in observance of the Holy Fire, which is the last day of Holy Week for Christians when they prepare for Easter Sunday.

Religious rituals were held this year in churches following the Eastern calendar in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.