The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, condemned the Israeli authorities' prevention of Christian citizens in the West Bank from reaching Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday.
The movement said in a statement that "the Zionist occupation authorities' prevention of Palestinian Christian citizens in the West Bank from reaching occupied Jerusalem today to participate in the Palm Sunday celebrations, and the restrictions it imposes on Palestinian Christians, are part of the fascist and racist occupation policy targeting our Palestinian people in all its components, and its failed criminal attempt to isolate them from their land and holy sites, and to Judaize them."
The statement added: "We, in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), condemn these criminal measures against Palestinian Christians and all of our Palestinian people. We call on all churches around the world to condemn the occupation and its ongoing attacks on freedom of worship and access to holy sites. We also call on the international community to take serious steps to stop its brutal violations and its war aimed at exterminating our people and liquidating their cause."
Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian Christians from the West Bank from reaching Jerusalem on Sunday to participate in Palm Sunday celebrations according to the Western calendar.
Israeli forces have cordoned off the entrances surrounding Jerusalem and the Old City. Authorities also require Palestinians, both Muslims and Christians, to obtain special permits to access places of worship, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Today, Christian churches in Palestine that follow the Western calendar celebrate Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Easter and the "commemoration of Christ's entry into Jerusalem."
Today, the traditional Palm Sunday procession begins at the Church of Bethphage and proceeds to the Church of St. Anne in Salahieh, within the walls of the Old City. A special prayer service will then be held, led by Patriarch Pizzaballa.
Churches have canceled all festive events during the holidays in light of the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip . Holidays are now limited to masses, prayers, and religious rites.
In Gaza City, Palm Sunday Mass was held at the Holy Family Latin Church, despite the difficult conditions and ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Strip.