Israel hinders Good Friday celebrations in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli restrictions on Friday prevented many Palestinian Christians — especially those from the blockaded Gaza Strip — from taking part in Good Friday celebrations in Jerusalem’s Old City.</p> <p>Marked each year on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary outside Jerusalem.</p> <p>Nevertheless, despite the deployment of Israeli troops on the streets of the Old City, thousands of Christians — many carrying crucifixes — marched along the Via Dolorosa on Friday to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.</p> <p>According to Wadie Abu Nassar, a local church official, Palestinian Christians from blockaded Gaza were unable to take part in Friday’s celebrations due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities.</p> <p>“Israel has refused to allow Christians from Gaza to attend this year’s Easter celebrations in Jerusalem,” Abu Nassar said in a Friday statement.</p> <p>“Access must be guaranteed to Jerusalem’s holy sites without restriction,” he added. “Security considerations should not override man’s fundamental freedoms.”