Israeli police intensified measures on Saturday, regarding the entry of Christians into the Old City of Jerusalem to observe the Holy Fire ceremony preceding Easter.
The occupation police obstructed the passage of Christian Jerusalemites to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to partake in religious rituals.
The EU’s representative, in coordination with the heads of EU missions in occupied Jerusalem and Ramallah, issued a statement yesterday, Friday, expressing concern over the escalating Israeli violations against the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
These violations include restricting worship freedoms and preventing worshippers from accessing the Holy City during Holy Week, Holy Fire Saturday, and Easter.
The statement highlighted the challenges facing churches and their affiliated institutions due to Israeli policies, including taxation on their properties and attempts to seize them.
Moreover, it addressed the pressures on schools, the increasing financial and administrative burdens, and curriculum-related stresses.
The EU called for maintaining the current status quo and the unique global character of Jerusalem’s Old City, preserving the sanctity of its holy sites, and ensuring the continuity of all its components, including the Christian community, respected by all.
