22 apr 2014
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Israeli government represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to transfer the sovereignty over Maqam of the Prophet Dawud from the occupied Jerusalem to the Vatican during the Pope’s visit to the holy land in the end of May, according to a Jewish organization. So-called 'Headquarter to Save Tomb of Dawud' reported that Netanyahu's government will take the decision secretly, but now the conflict will arouse to the surface since Jewish will not give up easily their control over the site for the sake of Christians.”
Jerusalem figures warned of violating the sanctity of Maqam of Dawud, which is considered a pure Islamic Waqf, as well as trying to create turbulence between Muslims and Christians. Maqam of the Prophet Dawud is one of the Islamic, archaeological and historical places. |
It is a large architectural complex that consists of several buildings, halls, in addition to a number of mosques dating back to the period of Umayyad, Mamluk and Ottoman.
It is located in a very important strategic place on a high hill in Jerusalem, surrounded by many buildings where members of the Jerusalemite family, al-Dajani, lived before 1948.
The Maqam is exposed to continuous Israeli assaults in an attempt to obliterate its Islamic and historical features. The Israeli occupation transferred its first mosque, located on the ground floor, into a synagogue.
This is believed to be the tomb of the Prophet Dawud (upon him be peace) who was the father of the Prophet Sulaiman (upon him be peace). Some historians believe that this is not his tomb but a ‘maqam’, to mark the place where he once stayed.
Israel to Hand Muslim Holy Site To Vatican
Israeli government represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to transfer the sovereignty over the Maqam of the Prophet Dawud from occupied Jerusalem to the Vatican, during the Pope’s visit to the holy land in the end of May, according to a Jewish organization.
According to Al Ray, so-called 'Headquarter to Save Tomb of Dawud' asserted that Netanyahu's government will take the decision secretly but, now,"conflict will arise to the surface since Jews will not give up easily their control over the site for the sake of Christians."
Jerusalem figures warned of violating the sanctity of the Maqam of Dawud, which is considered a pure Islamic Waqf, as well as a further Israeli attempt to create turbulence between Muslims and Christians.
It is located in a very important strategic place on a high hill in Jerusalem, surrounded by many buildings where members of the Jerusalemite family, al-Dajani, lived before 1948.
The Maqam is exposed to continuous Israeli assaults in an attempt to obliterate its Islamic and historical features. The Israeli occupation transferred its first mosque, located on the ground floor, into a synagogue.
This is believed to be the tomb of the Prophet Dawud (upon him be peace) who was the father of the Prophet Sulaiman (upon him be peace). Some historians believe that this is not his tomb but a ‘maqam’, to mark the place where he once stayed.
Israel to Hand Muslim Holy Site To Vatican
Israeli government represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to transfer the sovereignty over the Maqam of the Prophet Dawud from occupied Jerusalem to the Vatican, during the Pope’s visit to the holy land in the end of May, according to a Jewish organization.
According to Al Ray, so-called 'Headquarter to Save Tomb of Dawud' asserted that Netanyahu's government will take the decision secretly but, now,"conflict will arise to the surface since Jews will not give up easily their control over the site for the sake of Christians."
Jerusalem figures warned of violating the sanctity of the Maqam of Dawud, which is considered a pure Islamic Waqf, as well as a further Israeli attempt to create turbulence between Muslims and Christians.
In a new policy, Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel will begin receiving army conscription papers, Israeli media said Tuesday.
Israeli news site The Times of Israel quoted Army Radio as saying that though joining the Israeli army would remain voluntary for Christians, they would now be receiving recruitment papers starting at the age of 16.
Previously, a decades-old policy required Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel to initiate contact with the army if they wanted to join, the Times of Israel report said.
In February, the Israeli Knesset passed a bill that created an identity marker for Christians, separating them from the "Arab" identifier previously used for all Palestinian citizens of Israel.
"It's a historic and important step that could balance the State of Israel and connect us to the Christians, and I am careful not to refer to them as Arabs, because they are not Arabs," bill sponsor Likud MK Yariv Levin said in January.
Christians are "our natural allies," Levin said, adding that Muslims "want to destroy the state (of Israel) from within."
PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi, herself a Christian, condemned the law as an effort to divide the Palestinian community.
Israeli news site The Times of Israel quoted Army Radio as saying that though joining the Israeli army would remain voluntary for Christians, they would now be receiving recruitment papers starting at the age of 16.
Previously, a decades-old policy required Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel to initiate contact with the army if they wanted to join, the Times of Israel report said.
In February, the Israeli Knesset passed a bill that created an identity marker for Christians, separating them from the "Arab" identifier previously used for all Palestinian citizens of Israel.
"It's a historic and important step that could balance the State of Israel and connect us to the Christians, and I am careful not to refer to them as Arabs, because they are not Arabs," bill sponsor Likud MK Yariv Levin said in January.
Christians are "our natural allies," Levin said, adding that Muslims "want to destroy the state (of Israel) from within."
PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi, herself a Christian, condemned the law as an effort to divide the Palestinian community.
20 apr 2014
UN Mideast envoy Robert Serry has slammed Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) for denying him and UN diplomats access into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as part of Easter celebrations in Jerusalem’s Old City. Serry said in a statement on Sunday: “Israeli police prevented me and two other diplomats along with other Palestinian Christian pilgrims to cross a barrier to partake in Christian religious rituals performed on the occasion of the Holy Fire ceremony” on Saturday.
Serry further stated: “The Israeli police refused to allow such an entry claiming they had orders to that effect. We have been waiting for more than half an hour in the midst of a pack at the checkpoint. The soldiers turned blind eye to my request to talk to other high-rank officials.”
The UN official added that the diplomats were crushed by a crowd of worshippers trying to pass through the barricade to watch “Holy Fire” ritual in the church.
According to Serry: “The situation is becoming alarming because there was a large procession. A precarious standoff ensued, ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through a metal barrier erected by Israeli police.”
Eye witnesses heard Serry saying to an Israeli officer: “I am the special envoy of Ban Ki-moon to the region,” to which the officer replied with a noticeable irony: “And what does that mean?”
In the same context, Israeli police blocked the entrances of all Old City roads leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during the ceremony, refusing entry to journalists, international Christian pilgrims, and swarms of tourists.
Serry expressed his disappointment when he said he was dismayed that a peaceful procession was disrupted by "unacceptable misconduct from the Israeli security authorities."
"Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access to holy sites for worshipers of all faiths and refraining from provocations not least during the religious holidays," he added.
“I don’t understand why this happened. I’m not saying I felt my life was in imminent danger, but this wasn’t something you associate with a peaceful procession for Easter.”
Along the same line, Israeli forces prevented Muslim worshippers from freely entering the al-Aqsa Mosque by erecting barricades and launching wide-scale arrest campaigns in lines of Jerusalemite youths. Hundreds of Israeli troops were heavily deployed around al-Aqsa areas.
Serry further stated: “The Israeli police refused to allow such an entry claiming they had orders to that effect. We have been waiting for more than half an hour in the midst of a pack at the checkpoint. The soldiers turned blind eye to my request to talk to other high-rank officials.”
The UN official added that the diplomats were crushed by a crowd of worshippers trying to pass through the barricade to watch “Holy Fire” ritual in the church.
According to Serry: “The situation is becoming alarming because there was a large procession. A precarious standoff ensued, ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through a metal barrier erected by Israeli police.”
Eye witnesses heard Serry saying to an Israeli officer: “I am the special envoy of Ban Ki-moon to the region,” to which the officer replied with a noticeable irony: “And what does that mean?”
In the same context, Israeli police blocked the entrances of all Old City roads leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during the ceremony, refusing entry to journalists, international Christian pilgrims, and swarms of tourists.
Serry expressed his disappointment when he said he was dismayed that a peaceful procession was disrupted by "unacceptable misconduct from the Israeli security authorities."
"Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access to holy sites for worshipers of all faiths and refraining from provocations not least during the religious holidays," he added.
“I don’t understand why this happened. I’m not saying I felt my life was in imminent danger, but this wasn’t something you associate with a peaceful procession for Easter.”
Along the same line, Israeli forces prevented Muslim worshippers from freely entering the al-Aqsa Mosque by erecting barricades and launching wide-scale arrest campaigns in lines of Jerusalemite youths. Hundreds of Israeli troops were heavily deployed around al-Aqsa areas.
19 apr 2014
Israeli police on Saturday prevented UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry from celebrating the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem, a statement from his office said.
UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry said in a statement that he and other diplomats visited the Easter procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the invitation of Jerusalem's Palestinian Christian community.
The procession was stopped at a security checkpoint before the church "despite earlier assurances ... of unhindered access," Serry said.
"The Israeli police refused to allow such entry claiming they had orders to that effect.
"A precarious standoff ensued, ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through."
Israeli police blocked the entrances of all Old City roads leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the ceremony, refusing entry to journalists, international Christian pilgrims, and tourists. Swarms of Christians at Jaffa Gate began singing hymns upon being refused entry.
Serry said he was dismayed that a peaceful procession was disrupted by "unacceptable behavior from the Israeli security authorities."
"Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access to holy sites for worshipers of all faiths and refraining from provocations not least during the religious holidays," he added.
An Israeli police spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment.
Believers hold that a divine fire from heaven ignites a flame in the church, built on the site where Christians say Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected.
The flame is then passed between worshipers, candle to candle.
The crowd roared as the Holy Fire was lit, in an ancient annual rite dating to the 4th century AD to symbolize the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.
UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry said in a statement that he and other diplomats visited the Easter procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the invitation of Jerusalem's Palestinian Christian community.
The procession was stopped at a security checkpoint before the church "despite earlier assurances ... of unhindered access," Serry said.
"The Israeli police refused to allow such entry claiming they had orders to that effect.
"A precarious standoff ensued, ending in an angry crowd pushing their way through."
Israeli police blocked the entrances of all Old City roads leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the ceremony, refusing entry to journalists, international Christian pilgrims, and tourists. Swarms of Christians at Jaffa Gate began singing hymns upon being refused entry.
Serry said he was dismayed that a peaceful procession was disrupted by "unacceptable behavior from the Israeli security authorities."
"Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access to holy sites for worshipers of all faiths and refraining from provocations not least during the religious holidays," he added.
An Israeli police spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment.
Believers hold that a divine fire from heaven ignites a flame in the church, built on the site where Christians say Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected.
The flame is then passed between worshipers, candle to candle.
The crowd roared as the Holy Fire was lit, in an ancient annual rite dating to the 4th century AD to symbolize the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.
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Dozens of Christian pilgrims suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation on Friday after Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters as they performed religious rites at the Tomb of Lazarus in al-Eizariya in East Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers reportedly refused to stop firing tear gas canisters despite the presence of pilgrims after clashes had broken out between local youths and Israeli forces in the area. Witnesses told Ma'an that a tour guide who was escorting the pilgrims asked an Israeli officer to stop firing tear gas canisters until pilgrims left, but the officer continued to fire. The pilgrims had to take shelter in a souvenir shop before they could complete their prayers. |
The owner of the souvenir shop also tried to convince the Israeli officer to stop firing tear gas so that the pilgrims could leave, but instead the officer "asked a soldier to fire tear gas canisters at the church and at the pilgrims," witnesses added.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not have any information regarding the incident.
The village of al-Eizariya houses the Tomb of Lazarus who, according to the Bible, was miraculously brought back to life by Jesus days after he was buried.
Separately, fierce clashes broke out Friday between Israeli troops and young men in al-Eizariya and Abu Dis, a local spokesman told Ma'an.
Hani Halabiya, a spokesman of local popular committees in East Jerusalem added that a young man sustained minor wounds after he was hit by a rubber-coated steel bullet.
He added that Israeli troops stationed themselves inside a Muslim cemetery and fired at the Palestinian protestors. They also tried to ambush protestors in the cemetery.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not have any information regarding the incident.
The village of al-Eizariya houses the Tomb of Lazarus who, according to the Bible, was miraculously brought back to life by Jesus days after he was buried.
Separately, fierce clashes broke out Friday between Israeli troops and young men in al-Eizariya and Abu Dis, a local spokesman told Ma'an.
Hani Halabiya, a spokesman of local popular committees in East Jerusalem added that a young man sustained minor wounds after he was hit by a rubber-coated steel bullet.
He added that Israeli troops stationed themselves inside a Muslim cemetery and fired at the Palestinian protestors. They also tried to ambush protestors in the cemetery.
17 apr 2014
Hundreds of Christians in the Gaza Strip left the coastal territory on Thursday to celebrate Easter in the occupied West Bank and Israel.
Palestinian officials said that Israeli authorities issued 600 permits to Christians to leave the besieged Gaza Strip.
Around 100 Christians crossed the Erez crossing early Thursday to travel to Bethlehem and Nazareth, where they will stay for a week to celebrate Easter.
Israel only issued permits to Palestinians over the age of 35 and under 16, officials added.
Earlier Thursday, Christian dignitaries and representatives of different Christian organizations in Jerusalem held a news conference in the Orthodox Club in the Old City to denounce ongoing restrictions against freedom of worship.
Speakers at the conference, including Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna, former Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and the former PA ambassador to France, Hind Khoury, denounced Israeli restrictions on Christian access to the Jerusalem.
The Christian dignitaries also slammed Israeli assaults against Al-Aqsa Mosque highlighting that Muslims and Christians in Palestine are all Palestinian citizens under Israeli occupation.
The speakers urged Palestinian-Christians to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher despite the restrictions, urging worshipers to "refuse to be treated as aliens in our own homeland."
Palestinian officials said that Israeli authorities issued 600 permits to Christians to leave the besieged Gaza Strip.
Around 100 Christians crossed the Erez crossing early Thursday to travel to Bethlehem and Nazareth, where they will stay for a week to celebrate Easter.
Israel only issued permits to Palestinians over the age of 35 and under 16, officials added.
Earlier Thursday, Christian dignitaries and representatives of different Christian organizations in Jerusalem held a news conference in the Orthodox Club in the Old City to denounce ongoing restrictions against freedom of worship.
Speakers at the conference, including Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna, former Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and the former PA ambassador to France, Hind Khoury, denounced Israeli restrictions on Christian access to the Jerusalem.
The Christian dignitaries also slammed Israeli assaults against Al-Aqsa Mosque highlighting that Muslims and Christians in Palestine are all Palestinian citizens under Israeli occupation.
The speakers urged Palestinian-Christians to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher despite the restrictions, urging worshipers to "refuse to be treated as aliens in our own homeland."
16 apr 2014
Occupied East Jerusalem is the center of Palestinian celebrations, whether Easter or Ramadan. Freedom of religion and freedom of movement are basic human rights enshrined in international law. However, since 1967, successive Israeli governments have developed a number of policies aimed at directly and indirectly force the people from their land.
For billions of Christians worldwide, the holy week of Easter is an opportunity to celebrate, pray and remember Jerusalem. Easter is supposed to be a time of hope and joy. But for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Christians, the first Christian community, the reality today is one of oppression and discrimination. Of these Christians, who are the centuries-old inhabitants of this land, only a tiny minority are able to celebrate in Jerusalem.
Continue Reading the Fact Sheet [PDF]
For billions of Christians worldwide, the holy week of Easter is an opportunity to celebrate, pray and remember Jerusalem. Easter is supposed to be a time of hope and joy. But for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Christians, the first Christian community, the reality today is one of oppression and discrimination. Of these Christians, who are the centuries-old inhabitants of this land, only a tiny minority are able to celebrate in Jerusalem.
Continue Reading the Fact Sheet [PDF]
Palestinian Christians carry a banner reading, "Pope Francis, Palestine Wants Justice," in the annual Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem, April 13, 2014
Palestinian Christians carried a bold message as part of the annual Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City in East Jerusalem, this year. The parishes of various Palestinian villages carried banners reading: "Pope Francis: Palestine Wants Justice."
The pontiff will be visiting the Holy Land next month, the AIC reports, and those who have kept the faith in the land where Christianity was born are calling on the Pope to make a strong stand with those struggling under Israeli occupation.
Similar protests were made during last year’s Easter season, since Palestinian worshipers from West Bank villages must get special permission to enter Jerusalem at any time. Though many more permits are granted during religious seasons such as Easter, Christmas, or Ramadan, thousands of the faithful are still denied access to their holy sites.
Editor's note: Israel effectively annexed East Jerusalem after the 1967 war, resulting in the illegal confiscation of UN-recognized Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank. The international community, as a whole, never recognized the legality of the move and considers East Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives and the Old City, to be occupied Palestinian territory.
Last week, leaders of Jerusalem’s Christian community released a statement denouncing denial of access to holy sites:
The mobility of worshipers inside the Old City of Jerusalem gets restricted, and checkpoints are put at the gates and in the alleys -- thus preventing the worshipers from free access to the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the vicinity of the Christian Quarter.
The restrictive measures constitute a grave violation on the freedom of worship, and amount to discrimination against Christians because the occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city.
The measures taken by the occupying power have been escalating in recent years, and are meant to deny Christian and Muslim presence in East Jerusalem.
Due to such measures, the faithful are unable to worship freely and to be with their families and friends during such a special occasion. The restrictions began first in 2005, and are in fact unnecessary; politically and racially motivated.
Photos and more at the Alternative Information Center.
Related
Palestinian Christians carried a bold message as part of the annual Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City in East Jerusalem, this year. The parishes of various Palestinian villages carried banners reading: "Pope Francis: Palestine Wants Justice."
The pontiff will be visiting the Holy Land next month, the AIC reports, and those who have kept the faith in the land where Christianity was born are calling on the Pope to make a strong stand with those struggling under Israeli occupation.
Similar protests were made during last year’s Easter season, since Palestinian worshipers from West Bank villages must get special permission to enter Jerusalem at any time. Though many more permits are granted during religious seasons such as Easter, Christmas, or Ramadan, thousands of the faithful are still denied access to their holy sites.
Editor's note: Israel effectively annexed East Jerusalem after the 1967 war, resulting in the illegal confiscation of UN-recognized Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank. The international community, as a whole, never recognized the legality of the move and considers East Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives and the Old City, to be occupied Palestinian territory.
Last week, leaders of Jerusalem’s Christian community released a statement denouncing denial of access to holy sites:
The mobility of worshipers inside the Old City of Jerusalem gets restricted, and checkpoints are put at the gates and in the alleys -- thus preventing the worshipers from free access to the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the vicinity of the Christian Quarter.
The restrictive measures constitute a grave violation on the freedom of worship, and amount to discrimination against Christians because the occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city.
The measures taken by the occupying power have been escalating in recent years, and are meant to deny Christian and Muslim presence in East Jerusalem.
Due to such measures, the faithful are unable to worship freely and to be with their families and friends during such a special occasion. The restrictions began first in 2005, and are in fact unnecessary; politically and racially motivated.
Photos and more at the Alternative Information Center.
Related
14 apr 2014
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By Alex Shams
Palestinian Christian groups in Jerusalem have launched a campaign condemning Israeli restrictions on freedom of worship in advance of Easter, as some fear a repeat of the police violence the holy city has witnessed in years past. Produced by the local Palestinian organization Ma'an for Development and Progress in the Christian Quarter with the support of a number of Christian Jerusalem youth groups, a new video calls for "freedom of worship for all" in Jerusalem. "Christians are the indigenous inhabitants of this land and all we want is to be able to worship freely and normally in our holy sites," Benayot Benayot, |
a member of the group that produced the video, said in a telephone interview.
"There is no more freedom for Christians in reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," Benayot added, stressing how the combination of checkpoints and police violence had deterred many Christians from coming during the holy week leading up to Easter.
Every year, millions of Christians -- including tens of thousands of Palestinian Christians -- converge upon the holy city to mark the holiest days of the Christian calendar.
In recent years, however, these celebrations have been marred by violence, and at times Israeli authorities have even banned Palestinian Christians from entering the city to celebrate their holidays, even while allowing foreign pilgrims in.
Benayot said that last year when he tried to go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he was assaulted at a checkpoint Israeli forces had erected.
"They arrested me, beat me and took me away when I went to go the church with my family and my children," Benayot said, condemning the "brutal" attacks by the police he and other Christians were subjected to last year as they attempted to reach the holy sites.
"Families have stopped coming here for the holy days because they are afraid of what will happen if they try," he added.
Palestinians also charge that Israeli authorities have also erected large numbers of police checkpoints around the Old City of Jerusalem during the festivities, which attracts a large percentage of the 200,000-strong Palestinian Christian community.
"Jerusalem has changed so much that it is difficult for me to see it anymore," Benayot said.
'Persecution against Christians and Arabs is always there'
Amid scenes of police violence against worshipers during last year's Easter ceremonies, the video highlights policies it says are designed to limit Christian access to their sites of worship and interviews a number of prominent Palestinian Christian leaders.
Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Holy See, argued that there is "systematic policy" to prevent Christian worship that has escalated in the past three years.
During Easter last year, Kassissieh recounted, "the rooftop of the Church and courtyard were empty, except for checkpoints and police," even while many worshipers were stuck at checkpoints nearby.
Ibrahim Faltas, the General Administrator of the Custody of Holy Land, stressed that the restrictions imposed upon Christians are not, however, limited to Easter time, but reflect wider Israeli policies against Palestinians in Jerusalem.
"Persecution against Christians and Arabs is always there," he said, adding that he believed Easter week was "targeted" because it was the most visible demonstration of Christian presence during the year.
In a report published in 2012, the US State Department highlighted Israeli restrictions on the freedom of worship of Palestinians, Christians and Muslims alike.
"Strict closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli government negatively affected residents' ability to practice their religion at holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem," the report said.
"The separation barrier significantly impeded Bethlehem-area Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and made visits to Christian sites in Bethany (al-Eizariya) and Bethlehem difficult for Palestinian Christians who live on the Jerusalem side of the barrier."
A statement released last week signed by major Palestinian Christian organizations in occupied East Jerusalem tied these restrictions into the official Israeli policy of "Judaization" in Jerusalem.
"The occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city," the statement said.
'We live here and will remain here steadfast'
The policy of Judaization also involves the denial of construction and long-term residency permits to Palestinian residents while allowing the construction of thousands of settlement homes for Jews in order to shift the demographic balance.
Since Israel first occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, authorities have also increasingly separated the holy city from the surrounding Palestinian West Bank through a system of permits, checkpoints, and a separation wall that have cut the city off from its historic hinterland.
Strict quotas for permits for West Bank Palestinians to enter Jerusalem mean that very few are able to regularly enter the city, including the more than 50,000 estimated West Bank Christians.
The result of these policies has been an effective, albeit gradual, population shift, as thousands of Palestinians have been pressured or forced to leave Jerusalem.
Despite this, Christian Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem remain determined to maintain their presence in the holy city and protect their freedom of worship.
"I see myself and all of us, the Christian families in Jerusalem, as the guardians and protectors of the Holy Land and the custodians of the holy places," Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Vatican, said in the video.
"We live here and will remain here steadfast."
"There is no more freedom for Christians in reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," Benayot added, stressing how the combination of checkpoints and police violence had deterred many Christians from coming during the holy week leading up to Easter.
Every year, millions of Christians -- including tens of thousands of Palestinian Christians -- converge upon the holy city to mark the holiest days of the Christian calendar.
In recent years, however, these celebrations have been marred by violence, and at times Israeli authorities have even banned Palestinian Christians from entering the city to celebrate their holidays, even while allowing foreign pilgrims in.
Benayot said that last year when he tried to go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he was assaulted at a checkpoint Israeli forces had erected.
"They arrested me, beat me and took me away when I went to go the church with my family and my children," Benayot said, condemning the "brutal" attacks by the police he and other Christians were subjected to last year as they attempted to reach the holy sites.
"Families have stopped coming here for the holy days because they are afraid of what will happen if they try," he added.
Palestinians also charge that Israeli authorities have also erected large numbers of police checkpoints around the Old City of Jerusalem during the festivities, which attracts a large percentage of the 200,000-strong Palestinian Christian community.
"Jerusalem has changed so much that it is difficult for me to see it anymore," Benayot said.
'Persecution against Christians and Arabs is always there'
Amid scenes of police violence against worshipers during last year's Easter ceremonies, the video highlights policies it says are designed to limit Christian access to their sites of worship and interviews a number of prominent Palestinian Christian leaders.
Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Holy See, argued that there is "systematic policy" to prevent Christian worship that has escalated in the past three years.
During Easter last year, Kassissieh recounted, "the rooftop of the Church and courtyard were empty, except for checkpoints and police," even while many worshipers were stuck at checkpoints nearby.
Ibrahim Faltas, the General Administrator of the Custody of Holy Land, stressed that the restrictions imposed upon Christians are not, however, limited to Easter time, but reflect wider Israeli policies against Palestinians in Jerusalem.
"Persecution against Christians and Arabs is always there," he said, adding that he believed Easter week was "targeted" because it was the most visible demonstration of Christian presence during the year.
In a report published in 2012, the US State Department highlighted Israeli restrictions on the freedom of worship of Palestinians, Christians and Muslims alike.
"Strict closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli government negatively affected residents' ability to practice their religion at holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem," the report said.
"The separation barrier significantly impeded Bethlehem-area Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and made visits to Christian sites in Bethany (al-Eizariya) and Bethlehem difficult for Palestinian Christians who live on the Jerusalem side of the barrier."
A statement released last week signed by major Palestinian Christian organizations in occupied East Jerusalem tied these restrictions into the official Israeli policy of "Judaization" in Jerusalem.
"The occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city," the statement said.
'We live here and will remain here steadfast'
The policy of Judaization also involves the denial of construction and long-term residency permits to Palestinian residents while allowing the construction of thousands of settlement homes for Jews in order to shift the demographic balance.
Since Israel first occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, authorities have also increasingly separated the holy city from the surrounding Palestinian West Bank through a system of permits, checkpoints, and a separation wall that have cut the city off from its historic hinterland.
Strict quotas for permits for West Bank Palestinians to enter Jerusalem mean that very few are able to regularly enter the city, including the more than 50,000 estimated West Bank Christians.
The result of these policies has been an effective, albeit gradual, population shift, as thousands of Palestinians have been pressured or forced to leave Jerusalem.
Despite this, Christian Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem remain determined to maintain their presence in the holy city and protect their freedom of worship.
"I see myself and all of us, the Christian families in Jerusalem, as the guardians and protectors of the Holy Land and the custodians of the holy places," Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Vatican, said in the video.
"We live here and will remain here steadfast."
13 apr 2014
Christian denominations celebrated the Palm Sunday feast which celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The Eastern and Western Christian denominations in Palestine celebrate the holy week with masses and prayers in churches. The ceremony includes blessing palm leaves and traditional processions in church yards.
The palms symbolize Jesus' victory when he entered Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and the last one before Easter.
The Eastern and Western Christian denominations in Palestine celebrate the holy week with masses and prayers in churches. The ceremony includes blessing palm leaves and traditional processions in church yards.
The palms symbolize Jesus' victory when he entered Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and the last one before Easter.
9 apr 2014
Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at Jerusalem's church of the Holy Sepulcher
A group of Christians from East Jerusalem, on Sunday, said that Israel's restrictions on Palestinian mobility has resulted in violations of religious freedoms.
The statement, signed "Palestinian Christian Organizations in Occupied East Jerusalem," complained that Christians are often denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Easter holidays, according to a report via Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
Each Easter, checkpoints are erected "at the Gates and in the alley, thus preventing the worshipers from free access to the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the vicinity of the Christian Quarter."
Israel's restrictions on Palestinian Christians are a part of larger strategy of Judaization in Jerusalem, the statement said.
"The restrictive measures constitute grave violation on the freedom of worship, and amount to discrimination against Christians because the occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city."
Both Christians and Muslims are often "unable to worship freely and to be with their families and friends" during religious holidays because of Israel's actions, the statement went on to note. The organizations called on Christians to make attempts to attend Easter celebrations in Jerusalem despite the countless restrictions.
Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem filed, last February, a petition accusing the Israeli police of erecting roadblocks and barricades in and around the Old City, on that day, deterring worshipers from even attempting to access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and other sites, for Holy Saturday celebrations.
In a report published in 2012, the US State Department made similar observations. "Strict closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli government negatively affected residents' ability to practice their religion at holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem," the report said.
"The separation barrier significantly impeded Bethlehem-area Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and made visits to Christian sites in Bethany (al-Eizariya) and Bethlehem difficult for Palestinian Christians who live on the Jerusalem side of the barrier."
According to the PNN, an internal EU report on the situation in East Jerusalem, published on March 18, also cites the Easter restrictions and police aggressiveness in 2013, and stated that the presence of armed Israeli security personnel in the church was very disturbing.
The Israel Police responded by saying, "The police is preparing to secure the Saturday of Light event and to assure the security of the many participants, as is done for other events in which it enables all religions freedom of worship, subject to the law and maintenance of public order. As every year, there will be roadblocks around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and participants' entry will be supervised, to prevent a disaster and maintain their safety."
The state's response to the petition, which was submitted on Sunday, is that the Israeli High Court has no reason to intervene in reasonable police considerations. But Judge Noam Solberg decided that a panel of three judges should hear the petition this week.
East Jerusalem, including the historic Old City, was occupied by Israeli forces in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognized by the international community.
Palestinian Christians are awaiting a High Court of Justice ruling on a petition asking the Israeli occupation and their police to drop the heavy movement and security restrictions which have prevented worshipers from accessing holy sites in East Jerusalem on Holy Saturday, during the past several years.
Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter, falls this year on April 19.
A group of Christians from East Jerusalem, on Sunday, said that Israel's restrictions on Palestinian mobility has resulted in violations of religious freedoms.
The statement, signed "Palestinian Christian Organizations in Occupied East Jerusalem," complained that Christians are often denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Easter holidays, according to a report via Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
Each Easter, checkpoints are erected "at the Gates and in the alley, thus preventing the worshipers from free access to the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the vicinity of the Christian Quarter."
Israel's restrictions on Palestinian Christians are a part of larger strategy of Judaization in Jerusalem, the statement said.
"The restrictive measures constitute grave violation on the freedom of worship, and amount to discrimination against Christians because the occupation authorities want to negate Christian presence and create the impression of a Jewish-only city."
Both Christians and Muslims are often "unable to worship freely and to be with their families and friends" during religious holidays because of Israel's actions, the statement went on to note. The organizations called on Christians to make attempts to attend Easter celebrations in Jerusalem despite the countless restrictions.
Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem filed, last February, a petition accusing the Israeli police of erecting roadblocks and barricades in and around the Old City, on that day, deterring worshipers from even attempting to access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and other sites, for Holy Saturday celebrations.
In a report published in 2012, the US State Department made similar observations. "Strict closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli government negatively affected residents' ability to practice their religion at holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem," the report said.
"The separation barrier significantly impeded Bethlehem-area Christians from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and made visits to Christian sites in Bethany (al-Eizariya) and Bethlehem difficult for Palestinian Christians who live on the Jerusalem side of the barrier."
According to the PNN, an internal EU report on the situation in East Jerusalem, published on March 18, also cites the Easter restrictions and police aggressiveness in 2013, and stated that the presence of armed Israeli security personnel in the church was very disturbing.
The Israel Police responded by saying, "The police is preparing to secure the Saturday of Light event and to assure the security of the many participants, as is done for other events in which it enables all religions freedom of worship, subject to the law and maintenance of public order. As every year, there will be roadblocks around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and participants' entry will be supervised, to prevent a disaster and maintain their safety."
The state's response to the petition, which was submitted on Sunday, is that the Israeli High Court has no reason to intervene in reasonable police considerations. But Judge Noam Solberg decided that a panel of three judges should hear the petition this week.
East Jerusalem, including the historic Old City, was occupied by Israeli forces in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognized by the international community.
Palestinian Christians are awaiting a High Court of Justice ruling on a petition asking the Israeli occupation and their police to drop the heavy movement and security restrictions which have prevented worshipers from accessing holy sites in East Jerusalem on Holy Saturday, during the past several years.
Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter, falls this year on April 19.