Silence settled over the usually bustling alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City on Easter Sunday as the ongoing war prompted strict security measures at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Police checkpoints restricted access to the site, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, allowing only a small number of worshippers to approach.
All nearby shops remained shuttered throughout the day, deepening the atmosphere of emptiness in the historic district. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered the church shortly after dawn accompanied by a modest group of clergy.
"Happy Easter," Cardinal Pizzaballa said, according to AFP journalists at the scene. Outside the perimeter, security forces turned away many Catholics and Orthodox Christians who attempted to reach the site.
"How can you tell me I cannot go to church, it is unacceptable," one Catholic from Tel Aviv said, noting that they had attended services at the site in previous years.
Security and conflict in the Old City
The Israeli government has tightened security across the Old City, which contains sites sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, citing the threat of strikes from the ongoing Middle East war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement defending the government's approach to the holy sites.
"In this land where the story began... we continue to steadfastly protect the freedom of worship for all faiths, especially at this sacred time," Netanyahu said in his message.
Tensions previously flared on Palm Sunday when Israeli police initially blocked Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the church for mass. The Prime Minister subsequently ordered that the Patriarch be granted access.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has frequently encroached on the city’s religious centers. Debris from Iranian missiles and interceptors has fallen within the Old City, landing near the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Jewish Quarter.
For many of the faithful, the restrictions have fundamentally altered the holiday. "It's very hard for all of us because it's our holiday," one attendee said. "It's really hard to want to pray but to come here and find..."
