The bells rang across the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, signaling the start of a solemn ceremony. The priests began their deep, low-voiced prayers, candles illuminated their bowed heads as they made their way towards a platform, accompanied by individuals carrying large golden crosses. This was the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem’s ritual on Holy Thursday, washing the feet of 12 monastic priests to honor the Last Supper. It is just one of the many longstanding Easter traditions held in Jerusalem’s Old City, a site sacred to Christians as it’s believed Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and then resurrected there.
However, despite the historic significance of the location and the age-old traditions, the crowd gathered this year was notably sparse and subdued. International pilgrims mingled with dark-robed Greek Orthodox monks, but another crucial group, the native Palestinian worshippers, were conspicuously absent. For generations, Palestinian Christians from the Israeli-occupied West Bank would travel to Jerusalem to partake in these sacred practices, including the Holy Fire ceremony. Yet, their presence has diminished significantly due to stringent Israeli travel restrictions.
Now, Palestinians seeking to enter Jerusalem from the West Bank must obtain military permits — and since the recent conflict with Hamas began, these permits have been increasingly difficult to come by. The few Palestinian Christians who do make it to the Old City face an additional barrier: aggressive policing and, at times, violent confrontations with Israeli forces, deterring many from attending Easter ceremonies. This has left the community grappling with fear and uncertainty, unsure if they will be able to continue their cherished religious traditions.
In the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jerusalem’s Old City has become a place of heightened tension, reflecting the wider struggle over land, identity, and religious freedom. Despite the challenges and threats they face, the dwindling Palestinian Christian community remains steadfast, holding onto their traditions as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. They continue to uphold the message of life triumphing over death, even as they navigate the complexities and hardships of their situation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/18/jerusalem-christians-easter-israeli-crackdown-church-holy-sepulchre
