The Greek Orthodox Church (Jerusalem Patriarchate) today accused Israeli police of violating the freedom of worshipers by restricting the number of pilgrims who can attend the Holy Fire ceremony amid rising tensions.
Israeli police said it was a necessary security measure during Saturday's celebration at the ancient 13th-century Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the site where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
This year, the ceremony will take place after a wave of violence in Jerusalem's Old City caused by a raid by Israeli police on the shrine that houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third most important in Islam.
The tension escalated into a regional conflict between Israel and Hamas and an attack by extremists in the occupied West Bank where two Israeli sisters and their mother were killed.
The Israeli authorities introduced similar restrictions last year during the ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and now they have announced that they want to prevent another disaster like the one when 2021 people were killed in a stampede at the Jewish holy site in the north of Israel in 45.
Christian leaders, however, believe there is no need to change the ceremony, which has been held for centuries.
Orthodox Christians believe that on the Saturday before Easter, the flame appears in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Greek patriarch enters the aedicula erected on the site of Jesus' tomb and comes out with two lit candles.
In the church, thousands of people hold bundles of 33 candles, each symbolizing one year of Jesus' life, and light them with that flame, which is then sent by special planes to Orthodox communities in other countries.
Church officials told reporters in Jerusalem today that negotiations with the police on restrictions have failed. "Despite many attempts made in good faith, we are unable to coordinate with the Israeli authorities as they implement unreasonable restrictions on access to the Holy Sepulcher," the Jerusalem Patriarchate said.
The Israeli police have confirmed that they are increasing security and will block some passages in the Old City, and that access to the ancient church and its courtyard will be limited.
As stated, 1.800 people will be allowed to enter the church.
Chief Police Superintendent Yoram Segal of the Jerusalem District Police told reporters that the priority is security on a day when Muslims, Christians and Jews celebrate their holidays in one square kilometer of the Old City.
He announced that the movement of believers will be regulated, and that the ceremony of the Holy Fire will be able to be watched on large screens.
Since the most right-wing coalition in the history of Israel came to power at the end of last year, Christians say that their community, which is 2.000 years old, is under increased attack.
In previous years, around 10.000 believers attended the ceremony in the church.
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