Outcry As Israel Bans Palestinian Christians From Attending Palm Sunday Activities
- Hamas Condemns Israel, Says It’s Fighting For All Faithful
There was widespread outrage on Sunday as Israel imposed heavy restrictions that barred thousands of Palestinian Christians from participating in Palm Sunday processions in occupied Jerusalem, drawing sharp condemnation from religious and political circles alike.
The move, which allowed only a limited number of Christians — mostly Jerusalem residents and Palestinian citizens of Israel — to access the holy sites in the Old City, was denounced as another instance of religious discrimination under the Israeli occupation.
Hamas, in a statement, described the restrictions as “criminal measures against Palestinian Christians and all of our Palestinian people.”
The group accused Israel of enacting “fascist and racist” policies aimed at erasing Palestinian presence from their ancestral land.
“These measures are part of a failed and criminal attempt to isolate our people from their land and holy sites and to Judaise them,” the statement read.
The restrictions coincided with the beginning of Holy Week, a deeply sacred period for Christians leading up to Easter. Worshippers who managed to enter Jerusalem’s Old City were far fewer than in previous years, with Israeli forces reportedly turning away pilgrims at checkpoints.
Hamas further urged churches worldwide to denounce what it termed as Israel’s persistent violations of religious freedoms.
“We call on all churches around the world to condemn the occupation and its ongoing attacks on freedom of worship and access to holy sites. We also call on the international community to take serious steps to halt its brutal violations and its war aimed at annihilating our people and liquidating their cause.”
Meanwhile, the spiritual atmosphere of the season was further dampened by reports of fresh Israeli airstrikes on the al-Ahli al-Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza.
The overnight attack left many reeling in shock, with prominent Palestinian Christian leaders voicing strong condemnation.
Many within and outside Palestine have described the twin actions — the barring of access to sacred Christian rituals and the shelling of a Christian-affiliated hospital — as deeply provocative and emblematic of what they see as a broader campaign to marginalise Palestinian identity in all its forms.
As of press time, the Israeli authorities had not issued any formal justification for the sweeping restrictions, which have sparked growing concern over the continued infringement on the right to worship freely in the Holy Land.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
