Zionist occupation intensifies violations and incitement against Muslim and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem
Zionist occupation forces have clamped down on worshippers and prevented dozens of families from reaching their homes in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem as Christians celebrated Holy Saturday, which precedes Easter, according to Wafa news agency.
Local sources reported that the occupation forces turned the Old City of Jerusalem into a military zone, setting up checkpoints across the area and its narrow alleyways leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. These measures severely restricted access for worshippers during one of the most sacred Christian celebrations of the year.
Jerusalem-based journalist and activist Rafi Ghattas reported that the occupation assaulted worshippers inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He also shared a video from the courtyard of the church, where the occupation forces outnumbered the worshippers, noting that the tight restrictions left the church and its surrounding square largely empty, in stark contrast to the usual crowds seen during this annual event.
The occupying authorities also barred thousands of Christian Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem to take part in the Holy Saturday services, WAFA added.
As in the past years, Palestinian Christians and Muslims alike are required to obtain special permits to pass through the occupation’s military checkpoints in order to access their places of worship, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
On Wednesday, an official in the Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Jerusalem said at least 683 illegal settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — Islam’s third holiest site — amid the Jewish holiday of Passover.
On Tuesday, over 1,700 illegal settlers stormed the complex, 1,149 on Monday, and 494 others on Sunday.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, illegal settlers raided the mosque 21 times last month, when Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan.
The Palestinian government has expressed “extreme concern” over threats circulating among settler organisations to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This comes as an Al-generated video depicting the destruction of the mosque and construction of the “Third Temple” under the title “Next Year in Jerusalem,” was published on social media platforms earlier this week.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said it considers the posts on social media a “systematic incitement to escalate the targeting of Christian and Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem”.
It is noteworthy that under the decades-old status quo, Jews and other non-Muslims are not permitted to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque or display religious symbols.
