Israeli Restrictions Disrupt Holy Saturday Observances in Jerusalem

Israeli forces imposed stringent restrictions on Christian worshippers in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City during Holy Saturday, a significant day in the Christian calendar preceding Easter, according to multiple reports.

The measures severely curtailed access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a focal point for observances, and prevented many from participating in sacred rituals.

Military Checkpoints Transform Old City

Local sources, cited by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, reported that Israeli forces turned the Old City into “a military zone,” erecting checkpoints across its narrow alleyways and entrances leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

These barriers obstructed worshippers, including prominent figures such as Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, the Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Vatican representative to the State of Palestine, who was detained at a checkpoint and denied access to the church.

Jerusalem-based journalist Rafi Ghattas, documenting the scene, noted that “Israeli police forces outnumbered the worshippers” in the church’s courtyard. He described an unusually empty square, a stark departure from the vibrant crowds typically seen during Holy Saturday.

Ghattas also reported instances of Israeli forces assaulting worshippers inside the church, further escalating tensions.

Broader Restrictions on Palestinian Christians

The restrictions extended beyond Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israeli authorities barred thousands of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem to attend Holy Saturday services.

Palestinian Christians, like their Muslim counterparts, must obtain special permits to pass through military checkpoints to access holy sites, a policy that has long drawn criticism for limiting freedom of worship.

For the second consecutive year, Holy Week and Easter celebrations in Jerusalem have been subdued.

Holy Fire Ceremony Proceeds Amid Constraints

Despite the restrictions, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, is scheduled to lead a prayer inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to receive the “Holy Fire.”

This ceremonial flame will be shared with churches in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and further afield, representing perseverance in the face of challenges.