Thousands of Palestinian Christians from the occupied West Bank were reportedly prohibited from entering Jerusalem by Israeli authorities to participate in Palm Sunday celebrations ahead of the upcoming Easter weekend. Israeli troops were deployed heavily at checkpoints surrounding Jerusalem and near the Old City.

The Palm Sunday Mass, presided over by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, took place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City. Attendees included bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and a limited number of worshippers, primarily from Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Access to Jerusalem’s holy sites, such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, requires special permits for Muslim and Christian Palestinians. Obtaining these permits involves a rigorous process, including a security check by the Israeli army and an application through a designated mobile app, often resulting in unfair rejections.

Due to the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza, churches have cancelled most holiday celebrations except for masses, prayers, and religious rituals. The limited number of Christian pilgrims who managed to reach Jerusalem faced additional hurdles, as many airlines cancelled flights and Israel imposed strict entry restrictions on foreigners from Jordan.

While churches in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Gaza following the Western calendar observed Palm Sunday, those in Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin, following the Eastern calendar, will celebrate Easter at a later date.

In Bethlehem, Palm Sunday Mass was held at the Latin Church of Saint Catherine near the Church of the Nativity, with additional masses in Catholic churches across Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala, as well as in Jericho. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing military offensive, Palm Sunday Mass took place in Gaza City’s Holy Family Latin Church.

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