Israeli troops clashed with Christians who wanted to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Photo/memo
Several Coptic Orthodox priests were attacked in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, according to a video circulating on a news website.
Israeli troops blocked the festivities with roadblocks and fences at the gates of the Old City, allowing only a small number of Christians and those with permits to enter.
“The Israeli army also blocked traffic in the Khan Al-Zeit market and attacked dozens of Christians who tried to cross the checkpoint,” said a local source.
The millennium-old celebration usually draws thousands of Christians to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christian followers believe Jesus was buried.
Unlike previous years, when as many as 10,000 worshipers packed into the church, this year only 1,800 people were allowed in, with another 1,200 people outside the church.
Additional checkpoints around Jerusalem’s Old City will also limit everyone’s access to the area around the church.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as a “blatant attack on freedom of worship.”
