'Israel' blocks Christians from reaching Jerusalem on Palm Sunday

'Israeli' forces prevented Palestinian Christians in the West Bank from reaching occupied Jerusalem today (Sunday) to participate in Palm Sunday observances.

According to the Palestinian news agency (WAFA), Eastern and Western Christian churches commemorate Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Easter, marking the "entry of Christ into the city of Jerusalem."

The Patriarch of Jerusalem for the Greek Orthodox Church, Theophilos III, along with the Patriarch of Jerusalem for the Latin Church, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and other church leaders, led Palm Sunday mass and prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City.

The service was attended by a limited number of bishops, priests, monks, and nuns, mostly from Jerusalem and 1948 Palestine, after 'Israeli' forces prevented thousands of Christians from the West Bank from reaching the holy city.

'Israeli' forces imposed strict military measures on the checkpoints surrounding Jerusalem, especially around the Old City. Palestinians, both Muslim and Christian, are required to obtain special permits to cross these military checkpoints and reach places of worship, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Obtaining these permits involves a "security check" and approval by 'Israeli' authorities, who issue a "card" to citizens. Applicants must also download a special app to submit their requests, which are often denied.

Father Ibrahim Faltas, Vice President of the Custody of the Holy Land, said that "the occupation issued only 6,000 permits for Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, despite an estimated Christian population of 50,000."

He added that "for the second consecutive year, only a small number of pilgrims are participating in Holy Week and Easter prayers in Jerusalem due to the ongoing war," and emphasized that "the churches will raise prayers for peace, justice, and freedom for all people of the Holy Land."

Later today, the traditional Palm Sunday procession of the Catholic Church will begin from the Church of Beit Fajjar to the Church of St. Anne (Salahiya) within the Old City walls, followed by a special prayer led by Patriarch Pizzaballa.

Due to the ongoing 'Israeli' bombardment of Gaza since October 7, 2023, churches have canceled all celebratory aspects of the holidays, limiting observances to masses, prayers, and religious rites.

Palm Sunday prayers were also held in other Christian churches in Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin, while churches in Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin held their own celebrations.

In Gaza City, Palm Sunday masses and prayers were conducted at the Latin Family Church and St. Porphyrius Church for the Greek Orthodox, despite the challenging conditions of ongoing 'Israeli' airstrikes on the region.