Christian worshippers in occupied East Jerusalem faced significant challenges, as Israeli police reportedly harassed and restricted access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s holiest sites during 2025 Easter celebrations.
Many eyewitnesses claim that officers not only shouted at pilgrims gathered outside the church but also dispersed them, preventing them from participating in traditional Holy Saturday observances.
The atmosphere around Easter has grown increasingly tense for Palestinian Christians.
For many, entering Jerusalem to celebrate the resurrection of Christ has become a daunting task, as Israeli forces imposed tight limitations.
Worshippers shared that even those in possession of special permits were forced out of the church.
In a video widely circulated online, Israeli police can be seen yelling at individuals near the church, aggressively demanding they vacate the area.
Others recounted how security forces cleared out the sacred site, disrupting the spiritual observance of those who had made the journey, some from as far as the West Bank.
Traditionally, Christian Palestinians from the occupied territories received week-long permits to partake in Easter rituals in Jerusalem.
However, these permissions have been significantly reduced since the October 7th attacks. The Israeli government claimed it issued 6,000 permits this year, but reports indicate that only about 4,000 were distributed, primarily to church officials.
This year’s restrictions also came with an unusual stipulation: permit holders were not allowed to remain in the city overnight. This forced many to undertake lengthy return trips to the West Bank each day, ultimately making it impossible for some to attend the late-night and early morning services central to Holy Week.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the Old City of East Jerusalem, is revered as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
But the sacred location continues to be at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both groups laying claim to Jerusalem as their capital.
According to Al Jazeera, heavy security measures were enforced at the entrances to the Old City, where numerous Palestinians attempting to enter were detained.
This echoes similar scenes from 2023, when Israeli police were seen physically assaulting worshippers, including international pilgrims, trying to reach the church.
Omar Haramy, head of Sabeel, a Christian organization rooted in Jerusalem, spoke to The Guardian about the growing fear among locals: “People are very afraid and many will not risk attending the Easter processions any more. I will go to the celebrations on Holy Saturday because my family has been part of this tradition for thousands of years, but I’m not going to bring my kids, it’s too dangerous now, with the police violence.”
