Jerusalem/PNN

Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem expressed concerns over Israeli Police measurements and security restrictions in the city during the Easter celebrations, which prevent the Christian worshipers from accessing holy sites in East Jerusalem, Haaretz reported on Wednesday.

The auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, William Shomali, told PNN that every Christian, whether from Jerusalem or form any place in the world, has the right to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and to move without any restrictions that are imposed under pretexts of security measurements.

The Israeli police roadblocks and barricades in and around the Old City on the Holy Saturday ( the day before Easter), which deter worshipers from even attempting to access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other sites for Holy Saturday celebrations.

Several East Jerusalem residents filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice asking the Israeli government and Police to drop the heavy movement and security restrictions that have prevented worshipers from accessing holy sites in East Jerusalem.

The petition, which was joined by the heads of the five Eastern Orthodox churches and the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, has also asked that Israeli army personnel not be allowed to enter the church.

An internal EU report on the situation in East Jerusalem, published on March 18, also cites the Easter restrictions and police aggressiveness in 2013, and stated that the presence of armed Israeli security personnel in the church was very disturbing.

The Israel Police responded by saying, “The police is preparing to secure the Saturday of Light event and to assure the security of the many participants, as is done for other events in which it enables all religions freedom of worship, subject to the law and maintenance of public order. As every year, there will be roadblocks around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and participants’ entry will be supervised, to prevent a disaster and maintain their safety.”

The state’s response to the petition, which was submitted on Sunday, is that the Israeli High Court has no reason to intervene in reasonable police considerations. But Judge Noam Solberg decided that a panel of three judges should hear the petition this week.

SOURCE:     http://english.pnn.ps/index.php/human-rights/7316-palestinian-christians-israeli-police-spoiling-easter-celebrations-in-jerusalem