Palestinian Christians ‘kept from holy sites’
As Christians mark Easter, minority says Israeli police are restricting free access to their holy sites in Jerusalem.
As millions of Christians mark Easter throughout the world, thousands of candles have been lit in the ‘Holy Fire’ ritual in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre.
Worshippers, who take part in the ritual that dates back 1,200 years, say the flame appears from Jesus’ tomb inside the ancient church to show he has not forgotten his followers.
But as thousands flock to the holy city to partake in a ritual deemed a miracle by believers, Palestinian Christians are feeling more and more disenfranchised and discriminated against.
A group has called on the Israeli courts to help them regain free access to their holy sites, which they say have been restricted throughout the years by the Israeli police, an accusation which the police deny.
Al Jazeera’s Atia Abawi reports from Jerusalem.